10.57647/j.ijc.2025.1502.13

Novel Approaches for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction into Higher Hydrocarbons

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  • Tayyab Ashfaq Butt*1,
  1. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Hail, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia
Novel Approaches for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction into Higher Hydrocarbons

Received: 2025-02-08

Revised: 2025-03-30

Accepted: 2025-04-26

Published in Issue 2025-05-03

Copyright (c) -1 Tayyab Ashfaq Butt (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Butt, T. A. (2025). Novel Approaches for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction into Higher Hydrocarbons. Iranian Journal of Catalysis, 15(2 (June 2025). https://doi.org/10.57647/j.ijc.2025.1502.13
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Abstract

Creative solutions are required to overcome global warming due to the rising CO2 emissions from the utilization of fossil fuels. Through the conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals and alternative fuels, CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) technologies present a possible avenue for action. This article critically investigates current developments in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction and emphasizes the use of C-C coupling processes to produce higher hydrocarbons. The research investigates the difficulties related to catalyst stability, product selectivity, and energy efficiency while examining benchmark studies on CO2 electroreduction into C1 and C2 products. Noteworthy advancements in the electrochemical Fischer-Tropsch (FT) method and molecular catalysts for the synthesis of longer-chain hydrocarbons are discussed in detail. The review also covers recent advances in catalyst design, including the creation of proton exchange membrane systems with long-term stability and the highest CO2 conversion efficiencies under reaction conditions relevant to the industry. Optimizing catalyst design and surface modifications to improve performance and overcome competitive side reactions, such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), are potential future research paths. These developments could help the world’s attempts to achieve carbon neutrality by opening the door for scalable and sustainable CO2 conversion methods.

Research Highlights

  • The discovery of more stable catalysts that perform well in both acidic and alkaline conditions should be the main goal of future research
  • Resolving the scalability issue with CO2 electroreduction methods is crucial to achieving success outside of the laboratory.
  • Examining how external elements like surface polarization and the application of electric fields function could improve CO2RR system performance even more.
  • Subsequent research ought to delve into methods of inhibiting hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), including altering the surface or creating specific catalysts that give precedence to the reduction of CO2 instead of the creation of hydrogen.
  • Understanding catalyst degradation mechanisms and creating strategies to extend catalysts' active lives should be the main goals of the research

Keywords

  • CO2 reduction,
  • Electrochemical Fischer-Tropsch reaction,
  • Higher hydrocarbons,
  • Molecular catalyst,
  • Reaction mechanism
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