Electrochemical capture and release of carbon dioxide

Joseph H. Rheinhardt, Poonam Singh, Tarakeshwar Pilarisetty, Daniel Buttry

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

Understanding the chemistry of carbon dioxide is key to affecting changes in atmospheric concentrations. One area of intense interest is CO2 capture in chemically reversible cycles relevant to carbon capture technologies. Most CO2 capture methods involve thermal cycles in which a nucleophilic agent captures CO2 from impure gas streams (e.g., flue gas), followed by a thermal process in which pure CO2 is released. Several reviews have detailed progress in these approaches. A less explored strategy uses electrochemical cycles to capture CO2 and release it in pure form. These cycles typically rely on electrochemical generation of nucleophiles that attack CO2 at the electrophilic carbon atom, forming a CO2 adduct. Then, CO2 is released in pure form via a subsequent electrochemical step. In this Perspective, we describe electrochemical cycles for CO2 capture and release, emphasizing electrogenerated nucleophiles. We also discuss some advantages and disadvantages inherent in this general approach.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)454-461
Number of pages8
JournalACS Energy Letters
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 10 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry (miscellaneous)
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Materials Chemistry

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