Rational structural engineering strategies for electrochemical CO₂ reduction on copper

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) is key for sustainable chemical and fuel production.
• Copper-based catalysts are promising for CO2RR, yielding C1 and C2 products.
• Current copper catalysts face challenges in selectivity, stability, and reaction kinetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in structural engineering of copper electrocatalysts for CO2RR.
• To highlight strategies for enhancing CO2RR performance and stability.
• To outline future directions for rational catalyst design.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on structural engineering of Cu-based electrocatalysts.
• Analysis of interface, phase, doping, and defect engineering strategies.
• Discussion of mechanistic insights and intermediate stabilization.

Main Results:

• Structural modifications significantly improve CO2RR selectivity, stability, and kinetics.
• Interface, phase, doping, and defect engineering modulate catalyst electronic structures and surface morphologies.
• Understanding reaction mechanisms and intermediate stabilization is crucial for catalyst design.

Conclusions:

• Rational structural engineering of Cu-based electrocatalysts is vital for efficient CO2RR.
• Advanced engineering strategies offer pathways to overcome current limitations.
• Further research is needed for sustainable CO2 conversion applications.