Electrochemically Mediated Direct CO 2 Capture by a Stackable Bipolar Cell

Abstract The unprecedented increase in atmospheric CO 2 concentration calls for effective carbon capture technologies. With distributed sources contributing to about half of the overall emission, CO 2 capture from the atmosphere [direct air capture, (DAC)] is more relevant than ever. Herein, an electrochemically mediated DAC system is reported which utilizes affinity of redox‐active quinone moieties towards CO 2 molecules, and unlike incumbent chemisorption technologies which require temperature or pH swing, relies solely on the electrochemical voltage for CO 2 capture and release. The design and operation of a DAC system is demonstrated with stackable bipolar cells using quinone chemistry. Specifically, poly(vinylanthraquinone) (PVAQ) negative electrode undergoes a two‐electron reduction reaction and reversibly complexes with CO 2 , leading to CO 2 sequestration from the feed stream. Th…