Ambipolar Ion Transport Membranes Enable Stable Noble‐Metal‐Free CO <sub>2</sub> Electrolysis in Neutral Media

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) electrolysis traditionally relies on monopolar ion‐exchange membranes, including anion exchange membranes (AEM), cation exchange membranes (CEM), and a layered juxtaposition of two such monopolar membranes (bipolar membrane, BPM). The monopolar approach has worked well in water electrolysis in alkaline and acidic environments; however, in CO 2 electrolysis, alkaline conditions promote carbonate formation, reducing stability, while acidic media favor competing hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, ambipolar ion transport membranes (AITMs) are reported in CO 2 electrolysis. AITMs facilitate the free movement of ions and water between the cathode and anode, enabling stable CO 2 electrolysis with highly concentrated electrolytes. This results in low operating cell voltages and compatibility with Earth‐abundant anodes in pH‐neutral electrolytes. Using a membrane electrode assembly cell, the electrochemical CO 2 reduction is demonstrated in neutral media with a benchmark copper‐sputtered polytetrafluoroethylene cathode and a nickel anode, achieving a high Faradaic efficiency of 75% for C 2 products. This system operates at a current density of 110 mA cm −2 and a cell voltage of 3.15 V, maintaining a stable performance with a total operation exceeding 950 h. This work provides a pathway for stable CO 2 conversion at relatively high current densities using Earth‐abundant materials.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Energy Materials
Published
2025-10-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202504286
Citations
1
Primary Topic
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.36
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article

Ambipolar Ion Transport Membranes Enable Stable Noble‐Metal‐Free CO 2 Electrolysis in Neutral Media

Tu N. Nguyen, Jackson Crane, Hongchang Lai, Cao‐Thang Dinh et al.
1 citations
Advanced Energy Materials
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
0.36
article

Ambipolar Ion Transport Membranes Enable Stable Noble‐Metal‐Free CO 2 Electrolysis in Neutral Media

Tu N. Nguyen, Jackson Crane, Hongchang Lai, Cao‐Thang Dinh, Edward Hartley Sargent, Viktoria Golovanova, Francisco Pelayo García de Arquer, Anh‐Dao Ho, Eduardo Henrique Dias, Trong Huy Pham, Lu Xia, David Sinton, Ngoc Kim Dang
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) electrolysis traditionally relies on monopolar ion‐exchange membranes, including anion exchange membranes (AEM), cation exchange membranes (CEM), and a layered juxtaposition of two such monopolar membranes (bipolar membrane, BPM). The monopolar approach has worked well in water electrolysis in alkaline and acidic environments; however, in CO 2 electrolysis, alkaline conditions promote carbonate formation, reducing stability, while acidic media favor competing hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, ambipolar ion transport membranes (AITMs) are reported in CO 2 electrolysis. AITMs facilitate the free movement of ions and water between the cathode and anode, enabling stable CO 2 electrolysis with highly concentrated electrolytes. This results in low operating cell voltages and compatibility with Earth‐abundant anodes in pH‐neutral electrolytes. Using a membrane electrode assembly cell, the electrochemical CO 2 reduction is demonstrated in neutral media with a benchmark copper‐sputtered polytetrafluoroethylene cathode and a nickel anode, achieving a high Faradaic efficiency of 75% for C 2 products. This system operates at a current density of 110 mA cm −2 and a cell voltage of 3.15 V, maintaining a stable performance with a total operation exceeding 950 h. This work provides a pathway for stable CO 2 conversion at relatively high current densities using Earth‐abundant materials.

Advanced Energy MaterialsVol. 15(48)
Institute of Photonic Sciences (ES), University of Toronto (CA), Queen's University (CA), Institute of Physics (PL), Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science (MD), Kingston Health Sciences Centre (CA)
Openalex Percentile: Top 38%
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
0.36
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