The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO₂RR) offers significant potential for sustainable chemical and fuel production due to its compatibility with renewable electricity and the use of water as a clean and abundant proton source. While conventional research in the field of CO₂RR has mainly focused on designing catalytic materials and reactors (electrolyzers), recent studies reveal that the catalytic microenvironment, the region between the catalyst surface and the bulk reaction environment, plays a critical role in governing activity and product selectivity. In this regard, this talk introduces a paradigm shift in the role of ionomers, from passive binders to active platforms for microenvironment engineering based on our recent findings on ionomer coated Cu catalyst for electrochemical CO₂ reduction.