Modeling the carbon dioxide electrocatalysis system

Increasing level of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) because of human activities is a serious threat to ecosystems on Earth due to global warming. A transition to net-zero CO2 emissions before 2050 is necessary to limit the global mean surface temperature rise to 1.5ºC-2ºC above preindustrial levels. Carbon capture and utilization technologies are an important piece of the decarbonisation puzzle. Electrochemical conversion of CO2 (eCO2R) using renewable electricity can contribute to an integrated low-carbon energy and materials system by providing grid flexibility and means to produce essential hydrocarbon molecules. Considerable progress has been made in the past decade in developing eCO2R systems towards practical feasibility. However, major challenges remain to realize efficient and cost-competitive eCO2R devices at industrial scale.