Citation: Yucai Zhang, Jun Jiang. Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Ethylene[J]. University Chemistry, ;2026, 41(2): 190-196. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202503006 shu

Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Ethylene

Yucai Zhang ¹ ,
Jun Jiang ^2,3,,

1.
Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale (University of Science and Technology of China), Hefei 230026, China;
2.
School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China;
3.
National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education (University of Science and Technology of China), Hefei 230026, China

Corresponding author: Jun Jiang, jiang123@ustc.edu.cn
Received Date: 3 March 2025
Revised Date: 25 March 2025

The increasingly severe “greenhouse effect” has made the resource utilization of carbon dioxide (CO₂) an urgent priority. Compared to other alternative approaches, electrochemical CO₂reduction to high-value-added fuels and chemicals powered by renewable electricity offers advantages such as mild operating conditions, environmental friendliness, and high efficiency. This review focuses on CO₂-to-ethylene conversion, as ethylene has the largest market demand among CO₂reduction products. We first provide a brief introduction to the fundamental reaction mechanisms. Next, we discuss advanced catalyst modification strategies and introduce four representative electrolyzers. We then summarize the current progress in CO₂-to-ethylene conversion and highlight the existing scientific and technological challenges. Finally, we conclude with an outlook on the industrial application prospects of CO₂-to-ethylene conversion.
- Electrocatalysis,
- CO₂ reduction,
- Ethylene
1. [1]
  International Energy Agency, CO₂ emissions in 2023. [2025-04-01]. https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2023
2. [2]
3. [3]
4. [4]
5. [5]
6. [6]
  Han, Y.; An, S.; Zhan, X.; Hao, L.; Xu, L.; Hong, S.; Park, D.; Chen, Y.; Xu, Y.; Zhao, J.; et al. CCS Chem. 2024, 6, 1477.
7. [7]
  Cao, H. H.; He, Z. H.; Guo, P. P.; Tian, Y.; Wang, X.; Wang, K.; Wang, W.; Wang, H.; Yang, Y.; Liu, Z. T. ChemCatChem. 2025, 17, e202401133.
8. [8]
  He, Z. H.; Li, Z. H.; Wang, Z. Y.; Wang, K.; Sun, Y. C.; Wang, S. W.; Wang, W. T.; Yang, Y.; Liu, Z. T. Green Chem. 2021, 23, 5775.
9. [9]
  Yao, Z.; Cheng, H.; Xu, Y.; Zhan, X.; Hong, S.; Tan, X.; Wu, T. S.; Xiong, P.; Soo, Y.-L.; Li, M. M.-J.; et al. Nat. Commun. 2024, 15, 9881.
10. [10]
11. [11]
12. [12]
  Wang, Y.; Wang, Z.; Dinh, C.-T.; Li, J.; Ozden, A.; Golam Kibria, M.; Seifitokaldani, A.; Tan, C.-S.; Gabardo, C. M.; Luo, M.; et al. Nat. Catal. 2019, 3, 98.
13. [13]
  Schouten, K. J. P.; Pérez Gallent, E.; Koper, M. T. M. J. Electroanal. Chem. 2014, 716, 53.
14. [14]
  Chang, X.; Li, J.; Xiong, H.; Zhang, H.; Xu, Y.; Xiao, H.; Lu, Q.; Xu, B. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 61, e202111167.
15. [15]
  Li, J.; Chang, X.; Zhang, H.; Malkani, A. S.; Cheng, M. J.; Xu, B.; Lu, Q. Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 3264.
16. [16]
  Kastlunger, G.; Wang, L.; Govindarajan, N.; Heenen, H. H.; Ringe, S.; Jaramillo, T.; Hahn, C.; Chan, K. ACS. Catal. 2022, 12, 4344.
17. [17]
  Li, J.; Chen, Y.; Yao, B.; Yang, W.; Cui, X.; Liu, H.; Dai, S.; Xi, S.; Sun, Z.; Chen, W.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 5693.
18. [18]
  Ge, W.; Chen, Y.; Fan, Y.; Zhu, Y.; Liu, H.; Song, L.; Liu, Z.; Lian, C.; Jiang, H.; Li, C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 6613.
19. [19]
20. [20]
21. [21]
  Yang, H.; Li, S.; Xu, Q. Chinese J. Catal. 2023, 48, 32.
22. [22]
  Wang, Y.; Liu, J.; Zheng, G. Adv. Mater. 2021, 33, e2005798.
23. [23]
  Liu, W.; Zhai, P.; Li, A.; Wei, B.; Si, K.; Wei, Y.; Wang, X.; Zhu, G.; Chen, Q.; Gu, X.; et al. Nat. Commun. 2022, 13, 1877.
24. [24]
  Zi, X.; Zhou, Y.; Zhu, L.; Chen, Q.; Tan, Y.; Wang, X.; Sayed, M.; Pensa, E.; Geioushy, R. A.; Liu, K.; et al. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202309351.
25. [25]
  Choi, C.; Kwon, S.; Cheng, T.; Xu, M.; Tieu, P.; Lee, C.; Cai, J.; Lee, H. M.; Pan, X.; Duan, X.; et al. Nat. Catal. 2020, 3, 804.
26. [26]
  She, X.; Zhai, L.; Wang, Y.; Xiong, P.; Li, M. M.-J.; Wu, T.-S.; Wong, M. C.; Guo, X.; Xu, Z.; Li, H.; et al. Nat. Energy 2024, 9, 81.
27. [27]
  Zhang, Y. C.; Zhang, X. L.; Wu, Z. Z.; Niu, Z. Z.; Chi, L. P.; Gao, F. Y.; Yang, P. P.; Wang, Y. H.; Yu, P. C.; Duanmu, J. W.; et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2024, 121, 9.
28. [28]
  Wu, Z. Z.; Zhang, X. L.; Niu, Z. Z.; Gao, F. Y.; Yang, P. P.; Chi, L. P.; Shi, L.; Wei, W. S.; Liu, R.; Chen, Z.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 259.
29. [29]
  Zhong, M.; Tran, K.; Min, Y.; Wang, C.; Wang, Z.; Dinh, C. T.; De Luna, P.; Yu, Z.; Rasouli, A. S.; Brodersen, P.; et al. Nature 2020, 581, 178.
30. [30]
  Xia, C.; Wang, X.; He, C.; Qi, R.; Zhu, D.; Lu, R.; Li, F.-M.; Chen, Y.; Chen, S.; You, B.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 20530.
31. [31]
  Chen, S.; Ye, C.; Wang, Z.; Li, P.; Jiang, W.; Zhuang, Z.; Zhu, J.; Zheng, X.; Zaman, S.; Ou, H.; et al. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202315621.
32. [32]
  Deng, T.; Jia, S.; Chen, C.; Jiao, J.; Chen, X.; Xue, C.; Xia, W.; Xing, X.; Zhu, Q.; Wu, H.; et al. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202313796.
33. [33]
  Zhou, Y.; Martín, A. J.; Dattila, F.; Xi, S.; López, N.; Pérez-Ramírez, J.; Yeo, B. S. Nat. Catalysis 2022, 5, 545.
34. [34]
  Zhang, W.; Ai, J.; Ouyang, T.; Yu, L.; Liu, A.; Han, L.; Duan, Y.; Tian, C.; Chu, C.; Ma, Y.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 28214.
35. [35]
  Xiao, Y.; Lu, J.; Chen, K.; Cao, Y.; Gong, C.; Ke, F. S. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202404738.
36. [36]
  He, Q.; Li, H.; Hu, Z.; Lei, L.; Wang, D.; Li, T.-T. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202407090.
37. [37]
  Dinh, C.-T.; Burdyny, T.; Kibria, M. G.; Seifitokaldani, A.; Gabardo, C. M.; García de Arquer, F. P.; Kiani, A.; Edwards, J. P.; De Luna, P.; Bushuyev, O. S.; et al. Science 2018, 360, 783.
38. [38]
  Zhong, D.; Fang, Q.; Du, R.; Jin, Y.; Peng, C.; Cheng, D.; Li, T.; Zhao, T.; Zhang, S.; Zheng, Y.; et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202501773.
39. [39]
  Crandall, B. S.; Ko, B. H.; Overa, S.; Cherniack, L.; Lee, A.; Minnie, I.; Jiao, F. Nat. Chem. Eng. 2024, 1, 421.
40. [40]
  Wei, P.; Gao, D.; Liu, T.; Li, H.; Sang, J.; Wang, C.; Cai, R.; Wang, G.; Bao, X. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2023, 18, 299.
41. [41]
  Wang, J.; Zhang, Y.; Bai, H.; Deng, H.; Pan, B.; Li, Y.; Wang, Y. Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202404110.
42. [42]
  Zheng, Q.; Yan, Y.; Zhong, J.; Yan, S.; Zou, Z. Energy Environ. Sci. 2024, 17, 748.
43. [43]
  Shin, H.; Hansen, K. U.; Jiao, F. Nat. Sustain. 2021, 4, 911.
1. [1]
  Bizhu Shao , Huijun Dong , Yunnan Gong , Jianhua Mei , Fengshi Cai , Jinbiao Liu , Dichang Zhong , Tongbu Lu . Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Nickel Nanoparticles for Efficient CO₂ Electroreduction in Wide Potential Windows. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(4): 2305026-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202305026
2. [2]
  Jianan Hong , Chenyu Xu , Yan Liu , Changqi Li , Menglin Wang , Yanwei Zhang . Decoding the interfacial competition between hydrogen evolution and CO₂ reduction via edge-active-site modulation in photothermal catalysis. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(9): 100099-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100099
3. [3]
  Yan Kong , Wei Wei , Lekai Xu , Chen Chen . Electrochemical Synthesis of Organonitrogen Compounds from N-integrated CO₂ Reduction Reaction. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(8): 2307049-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202307049
4. [4]
  Hailian Cheng , Shuaiqiang Jia , Chunjun Chen , Haihong Wu , Buxing Han . Electrocatalytic CO₂ Conversion: A Key to Unlocking a Low-Carbon Future. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(2): 1-13. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202502023
5. [5]
  Runhua Chen , Qiong Wu , Jingchen Luo , Xiaolong Zu , Shan Zhu , Yongfu Sun . Defective Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Materials for Photo-/Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction: Fundamentals and Perspectives. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(3): 100019-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202308052
6. [6]
  Xudong Lv , Tao Shao , Junyan Liu , Meng Ye , Shengwei Liu . Paired Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction and HCHO Oxidation for the Cost-Effective Production of Value-Added Chemicals. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(5): 2305028-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202305028
7. [7]
  Dong Xiang , Kunzhen Li , Kanghua Miao , Ran Long , Yujie Xiong , Xiongwu Kang . Amine-Functionalized Copper Catalysts: Hydrogen Bonding Mediated Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction to C₂ Products and Superior Rechargeable Zn-CO₂ Battery Performance. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(8): 2308027-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202308027
8. [8]
  Anqun LAI , Qiaoyu WU , Qingqing LIANG , Qiyong LI , Guowen DONG , Yongjie DING , Jia′nan CHEN , Qing YAN , Zhonghua PAN , Wangchuan XIAO . Electrocatalytic water oxidation properties of Nd-Co polynuclear complexes. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(12): 2527-2535. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250151
9. [9]
  Ye Wang , Ruixiang Ge , Xiang Liu , Jing Li , Haohong Duan . An Anion Leaching Strategy towards Metal Oxyhydroxides Synthesis for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glycerol. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(7): 2307019-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202307019
10. [10]
  Fangfang WANG , Jiaqi CHEN , Weiyin SUN . CuBi@Cu-MOF composite catalysts for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction to HCOOH. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(1): 97-104. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240350
11. [11]
  Yanhui Guo , Li Wei , Zhonglin Wen , Chaorong Qi , Huanfeng Jiang . Recent Progress on Conversion of Carbon Dioxide into Carbamates. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(4): 2307004-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202307004
12. [12]
  Jinyi Sun , Lin Ma , Yanjie Xi , Jing Wang . Preparation and Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Performance Study of Vanadium Nitride@Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Composite Nanomaterials: A Recommended Comprehensive Chemistry Experiment. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(4): 184-191. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310094
13. [13]
  Xiting Zhou , Zhipeng Han , Xinlei Zhang , Shixuan Zhu , Cheng Che , Liang Xu , Zhenyu Sun , Leiduan Hao , Zhiyu Yang . Dual Modulation via Ag-Doped CuO Catalyst and Iodide-Containing Electrolyte for Enhanced Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to Multi-Carbon Products: A Comprehensive Chemistry Experiment. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(7): 336-344. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202412070
14. [14]
  Dingwen CHEN , Siheng YANG , Haiyan FU , Hua CHEN , Xueli ZHENG , Weichao XUE , Jiaqi XU , Ruixiang LI . NiOOH-mediated synthesis of gold nanoaggregates for electrocatalytic performance for selective oxidation of glycerol to glycolate. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(11): 2317-2326. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250053
15. [15]
  Qing Li , Guangxun Zhang , Yuxia Xu , Yangyang Sun , Huan Pang . P-Regulated Hierarchical Structure Ni₂P Assemblies toward Efficient Electrochemical Urea Oxidation. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(9): 2308045-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202308045
16. [16]
  Xue Dong , Xiaofu Sun , Shuaiqiang Jia , Shitao Han , Dawei Zhou , Ting Yao , Min Wang , Minghui Fang , Haihong Wu , Buxing Han . Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction to C₂₊ Products with Ampere-Level Current on Carbon-Modified Copper Catalysts. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(3): 100024-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202404012
17. [17]
  Wentao Xu , Xuyan Mo , Yang Zhou , Zuxian Weng , Kunling Mo , Yanhua Wu , Xinlin Jiang , Dan Li , Tangqi Lan , Huan Wen , Fuqin Zheng , Youjun Fan , Wei Chen . Bimetal Leaching Induced Reconstruction of Water Oxidation Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Activity and Stability. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(8): 2308003-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202308003
18. [18]
  Rohit Kumar , Anita Sudhaik , Aftab Asalam Pawaz Khan , Van Huy Neguyen , Archana Singh , Pardeep Singh , Sourbh Thakur , Pankaj Raizada . Designing tandem S-scheme photo-catalytic systems: Mechanistic insights, characterization techniques, and applications. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(11): 100150-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100150
19. [19]
  Tao Wang , Qin Dong , Cunpu Li , Zidong Wei . Sulfur Cathode Electrocatalysis in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: A Comprehensive Understanding. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(2): 2303061-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202303061
20. [20]
  Tongtong Zhao , Yan Wang , Shiyue Qin , Liang Xu , Zhenhua Li . New Experiment Development: Upgrading and Regeneration of Discarded PET Plastic through Electrocatalysis. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(3): 308-315. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309003

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(1)
Abstract views(259)
HTML views(31)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142