High-resolution neutron imaging of salt precipitation and water transport in zero-gap CO2 electrolysis

The electrochemical reduction of CO 2 is a pivotal technology for the defossilization of the chemical industry. Although pilot-scale electrolyzers exist, water management and salt precipitation remain a major hurdle to long-term operation. In this work, we present high-resolution neutron imaging (6 μm) of a zero-gap CO 2 electrolyzer to uncover water distribution and salt precipitation under application-relevant operating conditions (200 mA cm −2 at a cell voltage of 2.8 V with a Faraday efficiency for CO of 99%). Precipitated salts penetrating the cathode gas diffusion layer can be observed, which are believed to block the CO 2 gas transport and are therefore the major cause for the commonly observed decay in Faraday efficiency. Neutron imaging further shows higher salt accumulation under the cathode channel of the flow field compared to the land. The electrochemical reduction of CO 2 is pivotal for the chemical industry to reach climate neutrality. Here, the authors utilize high-resolution neutron imaging to unravel electrode flooding and salt precipitation, both major hurdles to steady operation of CO 2 electrolyzers.