Nano-engineering in zinc-based catalysts for CO₂ electroreduction: Advances and challenges

Abstract

Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR), an emerging sustainable energy technology to convert atmospheric CO₂ into value-added chemicals, has received extensive attention. However, the high thermodynamic stability of CO₂ and the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction lead to poor catalytic performances, hardly meeting industrial application demands. Due to abundant reserves and favorable CO selectivity, zinc (Zn)-based catalysts have been considered one of the most prospective catalysts for CO₂-to-CO conversion. A series of advanced zinc-based electrocatalysts, including Zn nanosheets, Zn single atoms, defective ZnO, and metallic Zn alloys, have been widely reported for CO₂RR. Despite significant progress, a comprehensive and fundamental summary is still lacking. Herein, this review provides a thorough discussion of effective modulation strategies such as morphology design, doping, defect, heterointerface, alloying, facet, and singleatom, emphasizing how these methods can influence the electronic structure and adsorption properties of intermediates, as well as the catalytic activity of Zn-based materials. Moreover, the challenges and opportunities of Zn-based catalysts for CO₂RR are also discussed. This review is expected to promote the broader application of efficient Zn-based catalysts in electrocatalytic CO₂RR, thus contributing to a future of sustainable energy.

Keywords

CO₂ electroreduction / nanostructured engineering / structure-reactivity relationship / zincbased materials

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 2024 The Authors. Carbon Neutralization published by Wenzhou University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.