Reactive carbon capture using electrochemical reactors

Abstract

The electrolytic upgrading of CO₂ presents a promising strategy to mitigate global CO₂ emissions while generating valuable carbon-based products such as carbon monoxide, formate, and ethylene. However, the adoption of industrial-scale CO₂ electrolyzers is hindered by the high energy and capital costs associated with the purification and pressurization of captured CO₂ prior to electrolysis. One promising solution is “reactive carbon capture,” which involves the electrolytic conversion of the eluent from CO₂ capture units, or the “reactive carbon solution,” directly into valuable products. This approach circumvents the energy-intensive processes required for electrolyzers fed with gaseous CO₂. This Tutorial Review highlights recent advances for reactive carbon capture, showcasing its potential as a scalable solution for electrolyzers that upgrade CO₂ into fuels and products.