Enzymatic Flow Electrolyzer for CO ₂ and Waste Comproportionation to Formate and Its Use in Photocatalytic Alkene Hydrocarboxylation

Abstract

Abstract Paired electrolysis enables the simultaneous coupling of CO 2 reduction with anodic waste upcycling to form valuable products. However, achieving selective, efficient, and stable product formation and coupling to downstream valorization remains a challenge. In this study, W‐containing formate dehydrogenase from Nitratidesulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough is immobilized onto a cathode made from carbon felt coated with porous TiO 2 and paired with a commercial Ni foam anode to assemble a semiartificial flow electrolyzer for the simultaneous conversion of CO 2 and waste (plastic and biomass) to the single product formate. The enzymatic flow electrolyzer achieved an initial cell faradaic efficiency toward formate of almost 200%, a maximum CO 2 conversion yield of 18% and can operate at a low full‐cell voltage of −1.5 V for 122 h, which allows for bias‐free operation with a silicon photovoltaic cell. The aqueous formate produced in the enzymatic electrolyzer was subsequently utilized downstream as a C 1 building block in the photocatalytic hydrocarboxylation of alkenes, providing a path for the domino valorization of CO 2 and waste toward bulk and fine chemical synthesis.