Determination of local pH in CO2 electroreduction

Abstract

The electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ and H₂O into fuels and valuable chemicals has gained significant interest as a prospective method for the storage of renewable energy and the utilization of captured CO₂. In the process of electroreduction of CO₂, pH near the surface of the electrocatalysts plays an important role in the catalytic selectivity and activity. However, to elucidate the local pH effect on the fundamental reaction mechanism and modify the catalytic CO₂ reduction performance, the localized pH determination method is highly desirable. In this minireview, we present the recent advances in the strategies of the local pH probe for CO₂ electrolysis in both H-type cell reactors and GDE-type flow electrolyzers, followed with a better understanding of the local reaction environment in CO₂ reduction. Additionally, pertinent advantages and drawbacks of the different localized pH probe techniques are discussed, and perspectives on future research efforts are also provided in this minireview.