(263i) Electrolyte Influence on Nonaqueous Electrochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide

Integrated capture and conversion of CO₂ can alleviate the energetic challenges for CO₂ release while enabling CO₂ valorization. Some industrial capture of CO₂ occurs in aprotic nonaqueous solvents because they enable an order of magnitude higher CO₂ solubility compared to water. Furthermore, these solvents are not susceptible to hydrogen evolution and have a wider electrochemical stability window compared to water. However, when CO2 conversion is performed in nonaqueous solvents, the product distribution differs significantly from those observed in aqueous electrolytes. Hence, electrolyte solvation effects play a significant role. We probe the influence of solvation in aprotic solvents by controlling cation-anion-solvent interactions and modulate the CO₂ electrocatalytic reactions that occur as a function of electrolyte and electrocatalyst selection. Our work provides insights highlighting the importance of reaction microenvironment in tuning overall electrocatalytic behavior and enabling efficient and selective electrochemical transformations.