Microfluidics-based pH-differential reactor for CO₂ utilization: A mathematical study

This paper reports a mathematical model for calculating various losses in a pH differential microfluidic electrolytic cell (PMEC) for CO₂ to formic acid conversion. The microfluidic characteristics of the cell were examined, and in respect of electro-chemical equilibrium states, major limiting factors such as mass transfer constraints, kinetic losses and overpotentials, were considered and acid-base interface and neutralisation losses therein identified. Losses of electrical resistance on electrodes and within micro-channels were quantified, and computational results were validated against previous experimental data. To the best of our knowledge, the model is the first for determining dual electrolyte arrangements and associated losses and can be used to develop parametric optimisation strategies.