journal article·2025-12Open access

Scaling CO 2 Electroreduction Revolution: Pathways from Laboratory Breakthroughs to Industrial Implementation

Qun Li, Xiaoyu You, Jiabin Wu, Zhiyong Tang

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 35· Issue 50

Abstract

Abstract Electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) offers a sustainable pathway to convert CO 2 into value‐added fuels and chemicals using renewable energy. Recent breakthroughs in catalyst engineering and reactor design have achieved industrial‐relevant current density (>1 A cm⁻ 2 ) and high Faradaic efficiency (FE) (>80% for C 1 /C 2+ products), but the technology remains constrained to laboratory prototypes. This review critically examines the engineering challenges hindering industrial deployment of CO 2 RR systems, focusing on three key Operational parameters in scaling implementation electrolyzer architectures: membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs), and modular stack designs. The operational bottlenecks in scaling these systems, including mass transport limitation, conversion efficiency, and long‐term stability under industrial current densities, are systematically analyzed. By correlating material innovations with reactor engineering strategies, the critical challenges for achieving energy‐efficient CO 2 conversion at scale are identified. The review further outlines technological roadmaps addressing material scalability, system durability, sustainability with intermittent renewables, and techno‐economic feasibility. Emphasizing the synergy between electrochemical engineering and industrial manufacturing requirements, this work provides practical guidelines to bridge the lab‐to‐industry gap, accelerating CO 2 RR commercialization for global carbon neutrality goals.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts · Ionic liquids properties and applications · Electrochemical Analysis and Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 P. R. China

School of Science and Engineering The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen 518172 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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