Recent progress on nickel phthalocyanine-based electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction

The electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to high-value fuels by renewable electricity is a sustainable strategy, which can substitute for fossil fuels and circumvent climate changes induced by elevated CO₂ emission levels, making the rational design of versatile electrocatalysts highly desirable. Among all the electrocatalytic materials used in the CO₂ reduction reaction, nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc)-based electrocatalysts have attracted considerable attention recently because of their high CO selectivity and catalytic activity. Herein, we review the latest advances in CO₂ electroreduction to CO catalyzed by immobilized NiPc and its derivatives on diverse surfaces. Specific strategies, the structure-performance relationship and the CO₂-to-CO reaction mechanism of these NiPc-based electrocatalysts are analyzed. Future opportunities and challenges for this series of powerful heterogeneous electrocatalysts are also highlighted.