Mechanistic insights into C-C coupling in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing concerns over climate change necessitate CO2 utilization.
• Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2RR) offers a pathway to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals.
• Producing higher hydrocarbons via C-C coupling in CO2RR faces challenges like low energy efficiency and competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental challenges in C-C coupling for CO2RR.
• To explore strategies for enhancing selectivity towards higher hydrocarbon products.
• To provide insights into molecular catalysts that promote C-C coupling.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on CO2RR mechanisms.
• Analysis of molecular catalysts designed for C-C bond formation.
• Discussion of strategies to improve selectivity for C2 and C3 products.

Main Results:

• C-C coupling for higher hydrocarbons in CO2RR is hindered by low energy efficiency and HER.
• Molecular catalysts can facilitate CO2RR by bringing CO2 molecules closer for C-C coupling.
• Various approaches exist to enhance selectivity for higher hydrocarbons.

Conclusions:

• Overcoming challenges in C-C coupling is crucial for commercializing CO2RR.
• Molecular catalysts and optimized reaction conditions are key to improving selectivity.
• Further research is needed to advance CO2RR for sustainable chemical production.