Designing anion exchange membranes for CO2 electrolysers

New technologies are required to electrocatalytically convert carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into fuels and chemicals at near-ambient temperatures and pressures more effectively. One particular challenge is mediating the electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) at low cell voltages while maintainin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature energy 2021-04, Vol.6 (4), p.339-348
Main Authors: Salvatore, Danielle A., Gabardo, Christine M., Reyes, Angelica, O’Brien, Colin P., Holdcroft, Steven, Pintauro, Peter, Bahar, Bamdad, Hickner, Michael, Bae, Chulsung, Sinton, David, Sargent, Edward H., Berlinguette, Curtis P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/301/299/886
639/4077/909/4101/4102
639/638/455
639/638/898
Ambient temperature
Anion exchange
Anion exchanging
Carbon dioxide
Chemical reduction
Crossovers
Economics and Management
Electrochemistry
Energy
Energy Policy
Energy Storage
Energy Systems
Fuels
Membranes
New technology
Nitrates
Nuclear fuels
Renewable and Green Energy
Renewable energy
Review Article
State-of-the-art reviews
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Summary:New technologies are required to electrocatalytically convert carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into fuels and chemicals at near-ambient temperatures and pressures more effectively. One particular challenge is mediating the electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) at low cell voltages while maintaining high conversion efficiencies. Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) in zero-gap reactors offer promise in this direction; however, there remain substantial obstacles to be overcome in tailoring the membranes and other cell components to the requirements of CO 2 RR systems. Here we review recent advances, and remaining challenges, in AEM materials and devices for CO 2 RR. We discuss the principles underpinning AEM operation and the properties desired for CO 2 RR, in addition to reviewing state-of-the-art AEMs in CO 2 electrolysers. We close with future design strategies to minimize product crossover, improve mechanical and chemical stability, and overcome the energy losses associated with the use of AEMs for CO 2 RR systems. Carbon dioxide electroreduction is a promising approach to synthesize chemicals and fuels using renewable energy. This Review explores our understanding of anion exchange membranes — a key component of certain carbon dioxide electrolysers — and outlines approaches to design improved materials.
ISSN:2058-7546
2058-7546
DOI:10.1038/s41560-020-00761-x