CO2 electrolysis to formic acid for carbon neutralization

Abstract

To avoid carbonate precipitation for CO2 electrolysis, developing CO2 conversion in an acid electrolyte is viewed as an ultimately challenging technology. In Nature, Xia et al. recently explored a proton-exchange membrane system for reducing CO2 to formic acid with a Pb–PbSO4 composite catalyst derived from waste lead-acid batteries based on the lattice carbon activation mechanism. Up to 93% Faradaic efficiency was realized when formic acid was produced by this technology.

Keywords

• CO2 electrolysis
• Proton-exchange membrane system
• Faradaic efficiency
• Carbon neutralization
• CO2 reduction reaction