アイテム詳細

要旨

The CO₂ electroreduction reaction (CO₂RR) to fuels and feedstocks is an attractive route to close the anthropogenic carbon cycle and store renewable energy. The generation of more reduced chemicals, especially multicarbon oxygenate and hydrocarbon products (C₂₊) with higher energy densities, is highly desirable for industrial applications. However, selective conversion of CO₂ to C₂₊ suffers from a high overpotential, a low reaction rate and low selectivity, and the process is extremely sensitive to the catalyst structure and electrolyte. Here we discuss strategies to achieve high C₂₊ selectivity through rational design of the catalyst and electrolyte. Current state-of-the-art catalysts, including Cu and Cu–bimetallic catalysts, as well as some alternative materials, are considered. The importance of taking into consideration the dynamic evolution of the catalyst structure and composition are highlighted, focusing on findings extracted from in situ and operando characterizations. Additional theoretical insight into the reaction mechanisms underlying the improved C₂₊ selectivity of specific catalyst geometries and compositions in synergy with a well-chosen electrolyte are also provided.