Electro-enzyme coupling systems for selective reduction of CO2

Abstract

To address the energy crisis and alleviate the rising level of CO2 in the atmosphere, various CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) technologies have been developed. The use of electro-enzyme coupling systems is a promising strategy for the sustainable production of fuels, chemicals and materials using CO2 as the feedstock. In this review, the recent progresses in the development of electro-enzyme coupling systems for the selective reduction of CO2 are systematically summarized. We first provide a brief background about the significance and challenges in the direct conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals. Next, we describe the materials and strategies in the design of electrodes, as well as the common enzymes used in the electro-enzyme coupling systems. Then, we focus on the state-of-the-art routes for the electro-enzyme coupling conversion of CO2 into a variety of compounds (formate, CO, methanol, C≥2 chemicals) by a single enzyme or multienzyme systems. The emerging approaches and materials used for the construction of electro-enzyme coupling systems to enhance the electron transfer efficiency and the catalytic activity/stability are highlighted. The main challenges and perspectives in the integration of enzymatic and electrochemical strategies are also discussed.