(732b) Intensified CO2-to-Ethylene Process in Electrochemical Cells at Elevated Temperatures (350-500 °C)

Ethylene is a primary building block for the organic chemical and polymer sector and carbon negative ethylene could provide a pathway to decarbonize the large volume products including plastics and even sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). In this work, a carbon negative electrochemical process is developed for direct conversion of CO2 to ethylene at intermediate temperatures (350-500°C). The new process is based on high-performance protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) that integrate CO2 reduction reaction to produce ethylene in the cathode and concurrent H2O oxidation reaction in the anode to provide hydrogen for CO2 conversion. Highly active and selective catalysts for CO2 to ethylene conversion have been identified and integrated into the PCECs. Both the catalytic and electrochemical performances of the integrated reactor system are evaluated and optimized.