MXene-based electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction: advances, challenges, and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is vital for a sustainable carbon economy.
• Two-dimensional (2D) MXenes offer tunable surface chemistry and high conductivity for CO2 conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in MXene-based electrocatalysis for CO2 reduction reaction (RR).
• To explore the electronic properties of MXenes that influence catalytic performance.
• To analyze structure-function correlations and strategies for enhancing MXene electrocatalyst performance.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive analysis of recent literature on MXene-based CO2 electrocatalysis.
• Examination of compositional effects, surface terminations, defect engineering, and interfacial dynamics.
• Review of strategies like compositional modifications, heteroatom doping, and heterostructure integration.

Main Results:

• MXene composition, surface properties, defects, and interfaces significantly impact CO2RR activity and selectivity.
• Various strategies, including doping and heterostructure formation, enhance MXene electrocatalyst performance.
• Mechanistic insights reveal advantages and challenges of MXenes in the CO2RR network.

Conclusions:

• MXenes are promising materials for efficient electrochemical CO2 conversion.
• Further research into optimizing MXene properties and understanding reaction mechanisms is crucial.
• Emerging opportunities exist for MXenes in advancing sustainable CO2 electrocatalytic technologies.