Electroreduction of CO2 in Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolytes

Electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to value-added chemicals and fuels is a promising approach for sustainable energy conversion and storage. Many electrocatalysts have been designed for this purpose and studied extensively. The role of the electrolyte is particularly interesting and is pivotal for designing electrochemical devices by taking advantage of the synergy between electrolyte and catalyst. Recently, ionic liquids as electrolytes have received much attention due to their high CO2 adsorption capacity, high selectivity, and low energy consumption. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in CO2 electroreduction in ionic liquid-based electrolytes, especially in the performance of different catalysts, the electrolyte effect, as well as mechanism studies to understand the reaction pathway. Perspectives on this interesting area are also discussed for the construction of novel electrochemical systems. © 2020