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Designing Membrane Electrode Assembly for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction: a Review

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Abstract

Currently, the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) can realize the resource conversion of CO2, which is a promising approach to carbon resource use. Important advancements have been made in exploring the CO2RR performance and mechanism because of the rational design of electrolyzer systems, such as H-cells, flow cells, and catalysts. Considering the future development direction of this technology and large-scale application needs, membrane electrode assembly (MEA) systems can improve energy use efficiency and achieve large-scale CO2 conversion, which is considered the most promising technology for industrial applications. This review will concentrate on the research progress and present situation of the MEA component structure. This paper begins with the composition and construction of a gas diffusion electrode. Then, the application of ion-exchange membranes in MEA is introduced. Furthermore, the effects of pH and the anion and cation of the anolyte on MEA performance are explored. Additionally, we present the anode reaction type in MEA. Finally, the challenges in this field are summarized, and upcoming trends are projected. This review should offer researchers a clearer picture of MEA systems and provide important, timely, and valuable insights into rational electrolyzer design to facilitate further development of CO2 electrochemical reduction.

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Acknowledgements

All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript. The financial assistance for this work was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51773092, 21975124, 20210283, and 22109070), and the Opening Project of State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure (No. SKL201911SIC).

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  1. Xuerong Wang and Shulin Zhao have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, and School of Energy Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China

    Xuerong Wang, Shulin Zhao, Tao Guo, Luyao Yang, Qianqian Zhao, Yuping Wu & Yuhui Chen

  2. Jiangsu Academy of Environmental Industry and Technology Corp, Nanjing, 210036, China

    Tao Guo

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  1. Xuerong Wang
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Wang, X., Zhao, S., Guo, T. et al. Designing Membrane Electrode Assembly for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction: a Review. Trans. Tianjin Univ. 30, 117–129 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12209-024-00390-5

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