Catalysts for electrochemical CO₂ conversion: material sustainability perspective

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (eCO2R) is a key technology for climate change mitigation.
• Catalyst selection critically impacts eCO2R efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability.
• Assessing catalyst supply chain risks and environmental footprints is essential for sustainable implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a streamlined supply risk and life-cycle environmental impact assessment for eCO2R catalysts.
• To compare the sustainability of various metal-based catalysts for producing formate, CO, ethylene, and ethanol.
• To identify catalysts with lower supply risks and environmental burdens.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of over 68 eCO2R case studies.
• Supply risk assessment for different metal-based catalysts.
• Life-cycle environmental impact evaluation of catalysts.
• Correlation analysis between catalyst stability and sustainability metrics.

Main Results:

• Bismuth-based catalysts for formate production exhibit high supply risks and environmental burdens.
• Tin-based catalysts demonstrate superior durability and lower sustainability concerns.
• Copper-based catalysts show varying supply risks depending on the target product (ethylene vs. ethanol).
• Enhanced catalyst stability significantly reduces supply risks and environmental impacts.

Conclusions:

• Catalyst stability is a critical factor for mitigating supply risks and environmental impacts in eCO2R.
• Standardized methodologies for assessing catalyst stability are urgently needed.
• Cross-sector collaboration is vital for integrating criticality and sustainability assessments for eco-design of eCO2R catalysts.