CO2 Capture and Electrochemical Conversion: Process Design and Optimization
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "I3: Energy Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2026
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The global transition towards low-carbon energy has accelerated the need for integrated approaches that capture CO2 efficiently and convert it to valuable products through electrochemical pathways. This Special Issue focuses on the intersection of CO2-separation science, electrochemical-reactor engineering and systems-level optimization. We invite contributions that advance fundamental understanding, propose innovative process designs or demonstrate rigorous modeling and optimization frameworks that enable scalable and economically viable CO2-management technologies. Submissions may address any stage of the CO2 capture–conversion chain. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Emerging solvent, sorbent and membrane-based capture technologies
- Coupling capture units with CO2 electrolyzers
- Reactor-level studies on catalyst performance, mass transport and cell design
We particularly encourage work that bridge traditionally separate domains—for example, closed-loop process designs linking electrochemical CO2 reduction with upstream capture energetics or optimization studies that quantify trade-offs among carbon efficiency, energy consumption and product selectivity. Process systems engineering contributions are especially welcome. Authors may consider dynamic modeling, flowsheet synthesis, techno-economic analysis, lifecycle assessment, heat- and mass-integration strategies or machine-learning-assisted optimization. Studies that evaluate uncertainty, operational flexibility or scale-up constraints will be recognized for their practical relevance. Experimental submissions are encouraged when they provide data that support model development, system identification or the validation of integrated process concepts.
The Special Issue also aims to highlight emerging challenges that hinder commercial viability. These include impurity tolerance in electrolyzers, the cost and sustainability of capture media, membrane durability, catalyst degradation and the design of balance-of-plant systems supporting high-rate electrochemical operation. Manuscripts offering novel insights into these bottlenecks—such as strategies for managing carbonate formation, minimizing parasitic energy loads or tailoring process conditions for downstream separations—are of particular interest.
We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews and short communications that offer impactful advancements. Submissions should emphasize clarity, rigor and the explicit connection between methods, results and system-level implications. Our goal is to curate a collection of papers that not only advance the science but also provide actionable understanding for researchers, engineers and policy stakeholders working toward deployable CO2 capture and electrochemical-conversion technologies.
Dr. Joshua Morgan
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- CO2 capture and utilization
- process modeling and optimization
- electrochemical
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
