Membrane-free CO2 electrolyzer design for economically efficient formic acid electro-synthesis

Xiaotong Li, Kainan Gao, Mingliang Qu, Nanhui Li, Xiangzhou Lv, Xiuju Wu, Qingyang Lin () and Hao Bin Wu ()
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Xiaotong Li: Zhejiang University
Kainan Gao: Zhejiang University
Mingliang Qu: Zhejiang University
Nanhui Li: Zhejiang University
Xiangzhou Lv: Zhejiang University
Xiuju Wu: Zhejiang University
Qingyang Lin: Zhejiang University
Hao Bin Wu: Zhejiang University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Reducing the electrical energy consumption for formic acid electro-synthesis is indispensable for advancing its industrial implementation. In a conventional CO2 electrolyzer, most input electrical energy is consumed by the unprofitable anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and ohmic drop. Electrolyzer engineering provides a promising platform to boost electrical energy utilization efficiency beyond catalyst optimization. Herein, we demonstrate a membrane-free CO2 electrolyzer design that pairs electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) with an all-liquid-phase anodic reaction, enabling dual production of formate at both electrodes with significantly reduced cell voltage. The optimized design exhibits the lowest electrical energy consumption (

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64306-0

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