Recent Advances and Perspectives of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Toward C2+ Products on Cu-Based Catalysts

Xiaodeng Wang; Qi Hu; Guodong Li; Hengpan Yang; Chuanxin He

doi:10.1007/s41918-022-00171-5

Electrochemical Energy Reviews ›› 2022, Vol. 5 ›› Issue (Suppl 2) DOI: 10.1007/s41918-022-00171-5

Review Article

Recent Advances and Perspectives of Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction Toward C₂₊ Products on Cu-Based Catalysts

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¹College of Chemistry Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

²School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, 400030, Chongqing, China

^b hq2016@szu.edu.cn

^e hecx@szu.edu.cn

Xiaodeng Wang

is a Lecturer at the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Chongqing University in 2019. He joined in Prof. Chuanxin He’s group at Shenzhen University as a postdoc researcher in 2019. His research interests focus on synthesis of novel electrocatalysts for water splitting, and electrochemical reduction of CO₂.

Qi Hu

received the Ph.D. degree from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China in 2016. He joined Prof. Chuanxin He’s group at Shenzhen University as a postdoc researcher in 2016, and was promoted as an Associate Professor in 2021 at Shenzhen University. His current interests focus on the design and synthesis of nanocomposite materials for efficient electrocatalysis including water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and nitrate reduction.

Guodong Li

received the Ph. D. degree from University of Science and Technology of China in 2019. After that, he joined Prof. Chuanxin He’s group at Shenzhen University as a Post-doctor from 2019 to 2021. Currently, He is a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Yujie Sun’s group at the University of Cincinnati. His current research interest is the hybrid molecular electrocatalysts for small molecule transformation and organic transformation, and photoactivable complexes and materials for luminescence sensing and phototherapy.

Hengpan Yang

is an Assistant Professor at the College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University. He received his Ph.D. degree from the East China Normal University in 2017. His research interests focus on synthesis of novel electrocatalysts and electrochemical CO₂ reduction.

Chuanxin He

received his Ph.D. degree in polymer chemistry and physics from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2010. He joined the Department of Chemistry at Shenzhen University in 2010, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012 and Professor in 2019. His current research interests are to design and synthesize novel nanostructure materials for fuel cells, water splitting, and electrochemical reduction of CO₂.

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Abstract

Renewable-electricity-powered electrochemical CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂RR) to highly value-added multi-carbon (C₂₊) fuels or chemicals have been widely recognized as a promising approach for achieving carbon recycling and thus bringing about sustainable environmental and economic benefits. Cu-based catalysts have been demonstrated as the only candidate metal CO₂RR electrocatalysts that catalyze the C–C coupling. Unfortunately, huge challenges still exist in the highly selective CO₂RR to C₂₊ products due to the higher activation barrier of C–C coupling and complex multi-electron reaction. Key fundamental issues regarding both active species and product formation pathways have not been elucidated by now, but recent developments of advanced strategies and characterization tools allow one to comprehensively understand the Cu-based CO₂RR mechanism. Herein, we review recent advance and perspective of Cu-based CO₂RR catalysts, especially in terms of active phases and product formation pathways. Then, strategies in catalysts design for CO₂RR toward C₂₊ products are also presented. Importantly, we systematically summarized the advanced tools for investigating the CO₂RR mechanism, including in situ/operando spectroscopy techniques, isotope labeling, and theoretical calculations, aiming at unifying the knowledge of active species and product formation pathways. Finally, future challenges and constructive perspectives are discussed, facilitating the accelerated advancement of CO₂RR mechanism research.

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Xiaodeng Wang, Qi Hu, Guodong Li, Hengpan Yang, Chuanxin He. Recent Advances and Perspectives of Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction Toward C₂₊ Products on Cu-Based Catalysts. Electrochemical Energy Reviews, 2022, 5(Suppl 2): DOI:10.1007/s41918-022-00171-5