Synergistic electroreduction of CO$_2$ to C$_1$-C$_3$ gas products in a pressure-tolerant MEA system

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide offers a sustainable route to reduce CO$_2$ to combat climate change and advance renewable energy use. However, challenges such as high energy demand and unsatisfactory se-lective production of higher hydrocarbons (C$_{2+}$) hinder its practical implementation. This work investigates the effects of operating conditions on the performance of CO$_{2}$ electroreduction, based on an optimized zero-gap electrolyzer design and a high-pressure reaction setup. The results show that moderate temperatures can increase energy efficiency and selectivity, with Faradaic efficiencies over 40 % for C$_{1}$–C$_{3}$ gas products. High-pressure environments exceeding 10 bar can improve the availability and mass transport of CO$_2$, and suitable proportions of syngas for subsequent reuse can be generated in this harsh environment. Tandem-layer catalysts can enhance CO generation, highlighting the need for precise control of catalyst interactions. In addition, lower neutral electrolyte concentrations favor the formation of C$_{2+}$ products but consume higher energy compared to alkaline environments. These findings provide insights and strategies for optimizing CO$_{2}$ electrolysis systems, aiding the development of efficient and scalable technologies for practical applications.