Electrochemical approaches for integrated CO₂ capture, concentration, and utilization: Mechanisms, synergies, and challenges

Electrochemical carbon capture and utilization (eCCU) has emerged as a transformative technology to mitigate carbon emissions while enabling a circular carbon economy. This review systematically examines integrated electrochemical CO₂ capture and concentration (eCCC), with particular focus on pH-swing systems, coupled with electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) or utilization. The synergy between these processes is critically analyzed: eCCC efficiently captures diluted CO₂ steam from flue gases and releases it in pure form, providing an ideal feedstock for subsequent electrocatalytic conversion to value-added products including carbon monoxide, formate, ethylene, and ethanol. This electron-driven approach offers substantial advantages over conventional thermal methods, including reduced energy penalties, operational flexibility, and compatibility with renewable energy sources. However, significant challenges persist in catalyst stability, system integration, energy efficiency optimization, and economic viability on scale. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of these barriers and presents a forward-looking perspective on research priorities and development pathways to accelerate the implementation of practical electrochemical carbon capture and utilization technologies for industrial decarbonization and sustainable chemical production.