Interfacial electrolyte effects on aqueous CO2 reduction: Learning from enzymes to develop inorganic approaches

The reduction of CO2 to fuels and valuable chemicals offers the possibility of recycling carbon that is otherwise accumulated in our atmosphere. Though catalyst development has played an important role in advancing the field of CO2 reduction, the anions, cations, and solvent that comprise the electrolyte also exhibit an exceptionally strong impact on this reaction. Here, we offer an overview of recent research insights into the role of these electrolyte components, specifically focusing on effects incurred at the catalyst surface. Despite years of work in this space, there have been few conclusive studies on the mechanistic impacts of these components. In contrast, local electrolyte effects on biological catalysis are well-established for many energy-relevant enzymes. We propose taking inspiration from enzymatic studies to better understand and tune electrolyte interactions at the catalyst interface.