Electrochemically Integrated Carbon Capture and Utilization

Electrochemically integrated carbon capture and utilization (eICCU) couples carbon capture with electrolysis to convert captured CO2 directly into feedstocks, avoiding thermal regeneration, compression, and gas purification. This integration can raise carbon, energy, and system efficiencies, yet progress is limited by an incomplete mechanistic insight, the absence of absorbent selection rules, and a lack of catalyst design principles. This review clarifies these gaps and outlines a framework to accelerate the field. We (i) define eICCU and benchmark it against sequential capture-then-electrolysis routes; (ii) catalog milestones across absorbent classes─amines, hydroxides, and amino acid salts─and distill criteria for optimal selection and blend design; (iii) assess emerging catalyst families, highlighting speciation-aware optimization and priorities for multicarbon products; and (iv) discuss system architecture from absorber to electrolyzer and product separation. Addressing these elements positions eICCU to enable lower-energy carbon mitigation and on-site sustainable feedstock production within a circular carbon economy.