In China, electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an effective approach for converting CO2 into high-value chemicals and promoting carbon cycling. Among CO2RR products, ethylene (C2H4), as a crucial industrial feedstock, holds extensive market demand and significant economic value. Copper (Cu)-based catalysts exhibit unique advantages in CO2RR to C2H4 conversion due to their distinctive electronic structure and moderate CO adsorption strength. Meanwhile, the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) design with an electrolyte-free cathode effectively mitigates mass transfer limitations, reduces ohmic losses, and enhances interfacial efficiency, thereby significantly improving current density and product selectivity. Consequently, the application of Cu-based catalysts in MEAs is regarded as a promising strategy for industrial-scale C2H4 production via CO2RR.
Recently, a team researchers from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, comprehensively reviewed the research progress on Cu-based catalysts in MEAs for CO2RR to C2H4 conversion, aiming to advance developments in this field.
