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

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaotong Li

    (Zhejiang University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Kainan Gao

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Mingliang Qu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Nanhui Li

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xiangzhou Lv

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Xiuju Wu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Qingyang Lin

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Hao Bin Wu

    (Zhejiang University)

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 (

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaotong Li & Kainan Gao & Mingliang Qu & Nanhui Li & Xiangzhou Lv & Xiuju Wu & Qingyang Lin & Hao Bin Wu, 2025. "Membrane-free CO2 electrolyzer design for economically efficient formic acid electro-synthesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64306-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64306-0
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