Recent advances in Cu-based heterostructures and their Li-CO₂ battery application

Lithium carbon dioxide (Li-CO₂) batteries have recently attracted extensive attention since they offer a great approach to simultaneously realize CO₂ capture and conversion. However, the sluggish kinetics and complex reaction mechanism at the cathodic side significantly hinder the improvement in the performance of Li-CO₂ batteries. Therefore, highly-efficient electrocatalysts are required to solve the problems encountered in Li-CO₂ batteries. Copper (Cu)-based nanomaterials, particularly those containing unique heterointerfaces, have been regarded as outstanding electrocatalysts for the aqueous CO₂ reduction reaction but have scarcely been applied in Li-CO₂ battery systems thus far. Thus, to explore advanced electrocatalysts for CO₂-related reactions in Li-CO₂ batteries, herein, we primarily discuss the recent progress in Cu-based heterostructures and thoughtfully assess their potential electrocatalytic functionality towards Li-CO₂ batteries. The structure and charge-discharge mechanism of Li-CO₂ battery is first introduced and analyzed. Then, Cu-based heterostructures categorized by fascinating approaches are systematically reviewed and discussed. Subsequently, the currently reported Cu-based electrocatalysts for Li-CO₂ batteries are summarized. Finally, the future challenges and development directions of Cu-based heterojunction electrocatalysts for Li-CO₂ batteries are prospected.