Electrified CO2 valorization in emerging nanotechnologies: a technical analysis of gas feedstock purity and nanomaterials in electrocatalytic and bio-electrocatalytic CO2 conversion

Engineered nanomaterials that catalyze the transformation of waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into value-added products are crucial to mitigate climate change and enable a new circular carbon economy. Gas separations are expected to be a major cost barrier to CO2 conversion scalability, but the importance of feedstock purity is yet to be carefully evaluated in emerging nanotechnologies under environmentally relevant conditions. Here we assessed the performance of state-of-the-art electrocatalytic and bio-electrocatalytic CO2 reduction nanomaterials under a range of influent CO2 concentrations using data from recent publications. We quantitatively compared the activity of various electrocatalysts and discussed interactions at the nano-bio interface. Through this perspective, we developed initial life-cycle assessments and technoeconomic analyses for the integration of CO2 conversion nanotechnologies with natural and engineered systems. Altogether this evaluation can inform innovative nanomaterial design and delivers useful insights towards a sustainable future without waste or pollution.