Membrane-free CO₂ electrolyzer design for economically efficient formic acid electro-synthesis.

ABSTRACT: Reducing the electrical energy consumption for formic acid electro-synthesis is indispensable for advancing its industrial implementation. In a conventional CO₂ electrolyzer, most input electrical energy is consumed by the unprofitable anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and ohmic drop. Electrolyzer engineering provides a promising platform to boost electrical energy utilization efficiency beyond catalyst optimization. Herein, we demonstrate a membrane-free CO₂ electrolyzer design that pairs electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) with an all-liquid-phase anodic reaction, enabling dual production of formate at both electrodes with significantly reduced cell voltage. The optimized design exhibits the lowest electrical energy consumption (< 310 kJ 

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534513 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature