Speakers

The escalation of atmospheric CO₂ emissions driven by industrial expansion necessitates the urgent development of scalable carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategies to meet 2050 net-zero targets. While carbon capture and subsequent conversion are traditionally treated as decoupled processes with independent energy overheads, integrating these stages offers a transformative pathway toward industrial decarbonization. This study presents a novel integrated electrochemical approach that merges CO₂ capture and reduction into a single-stage process. By utilizing amine-based capture media directly as the electrolyte, we demonstrate the efficient electrochemical reduction of the CO₂-amine adduct into high-value chemical feedstocks. A significant advantage of this system is the simultaneous regeneration of the amine sorbent during the reduction cycle, which substantially enhances the overall energy efficiency and sustainability of the carbon loop. To evaluate the system’s industrial viability, we conducted a systematic investigation into the effects of various reaction parameters, including amine molecular structures, electrolyte additives, and optimized electrochemical conditions. Our findings provide critical insights into the kinetics of integrated CCU systems, offering a robust framework for advancing practical, carbon-neutral technologies.