Low-Temperature Electrochemical Cement Clinker Production

Low-temperature electrochemical cement clinker (e-clinker) production is a promising technology for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the cement industry. This Perspective provides an overview of the process and the development of the electrochemical reactors for cement production (i.e., "cement electrolyzers"), highlighting the potential to revolutionize cement production and mitigate climate change. The challenges of feedstock preparation, electrolysis efficiency, and post-treatment are discussed, emphasizing the need for customized electrolyzers, deposit-resistant electrodes and membranes, and efficient separation methods. This Perspective also highlights ongoing research efforts and the design of new electrolyzer architectures to enable direct clinker production. E-clinker production offers a viable pathway to produce cement clinkers with a low carbon footprint and economic competitiveness.