Innovative dilute alloy electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide electroreduction in electrolyzers

Research Project, 2025 – 2027

Ethylene is a major commodity chemical, and its demand is expected to increase. Today, ethylene is primarily derived from thermal cracking of fossil fuel-based hydrocarbons and the process is estimated to generate 1.5 tons of CO2 per ton of ethylene. To mitigate climate change, the carbon footprint of ethylene production must be reduced. To achieve this, electrochemical conversion of captured CO2 (from air or chemical processes) into ethylene using renewable electricity is raising great interest. The technology is however still in its infancy due to important challenges related to the lack of selectivity and lack of studies at larger scale in electrolyzers. The goal of this project is to develop highly selective electrocatalysts for electrochemical conversion of CO2 to ethylene and elucidate the relationship between their structure and composition, and selectivity during reaction in electrolyzers. To achieve this goal, novel dilute alloy electrocatalysts will be synthesized with high atomic efficiency of metals. Their performance will be evaluated in electrolyzers in collaboration with the Seger group at DTU. In-depth characterization will be carried out during reaction to provide new fundamental understanding of atom-efficient electrocatalysts in electrolyzers. This interdisciplinary project will thus advance the state-of-the-art in the field by creating new knowledge which will guide the design of highly efficient electrocatalysts for sustainable ethylene production.