From fundamental flaw to manageable parameter: Engineering salt precipitation out of acidic CO2RR for industrial viability

doi:10.1016/S1872-2067(25)64874-1

Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 81: 5-8.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(25)64874-1

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From fundamental flaw to manageable parameter: Engineering salt precipitation out of acidic CO₂RR for industrial viability

Genxiang Wang^a^,^b, Zhiwen Lu^b, Zhenhai Wen^b()

^a School of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
^b CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques toward Hydrogen Energy, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China

Received:2025-07-25 Accepted:2025-08-11 Online:2026-02-18 Published:2025-12-26
Contact: *E-mail: wen@fjirsm.ac.cn (Z. Wen).
About author:Zhenhai Wen (Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences) received his Ph.D. degree from the Chinese Academy of Sciences China in 2008. Then he conducted postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has been working in Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences since 2015. He is a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars. His research focuses on advanced electrode materials and hybrid electrochemical energy devices. He has published over 300 papers (h-index: 104, 35000+ citations), holds 20+ patents, and has been a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher from 2018 to 2024.
Supported by:
National Natural Science Foundation of China(22209183);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22225902);National Key Research & Development Program of China(2022YFE0115900);Advanced Talents of Jiangsu University, China(23JDG027)

Abstract

Abstract:

Salt precipitation remains a persistent barrier to industrial CO₂ electrolysis. This Perspective analyzes transformative breakthroughs in acidic systems, elegantly connecting Sargent’s cation-focused interface engineering, Xia’s robust catalyst/reactor design, and Wang’s revolutionary acid humidification strategy into a cohesive industrial pathway. Based on this, we propose that integrating these approaches, combining acid-humidified feeds with durable catalysts and reactor designs, could establish a scalable route to industrial CO₂electrolysis deployment powered by renewable electricity.

Key words: CO₂ electroreduction, Salt deposition, Acidic electrolysis, Volatile acid humidification, Industrial feasibility

Genxiang Wang, Zhiwen Lu, Zhenhai Wen. From fundamental flaw to manageable parameter: Engineering salt precipitation out of acidic CO₂RR for industrial viability[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2026, 81: 5-8.

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From fundamental flaw to manageable parameter: Engineering salt precipitation out of acidic CO₂RR for industrial viability

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