Structure-Property-Performance Correlation in Copper-Based Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Anodic Oxidation Reactions

Electrochemical water splitting suffers from sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), leading to poor efficiency of the system. Researchers have examined the anodic oxidation of various small organic and inorganic molecules, which can be coupled with the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Furthermore, substituting the OER with the anodic oxidation reaction (AOR) of these small molecules significantly reduces the energy demand and produces valuable oxidized products at the anode, along with H₂ fuel at the cathode. Cu-based materials have gained considerable attention in the context of AORs, owing to their large surface area, controlled morphologies, modified electronic structures, and flexible coordination environments. Notwithstanding the substantial volume of existing literature, a thorough, focused review specifically addressing Cu-based catalysts for AORs is conspicuously lacking. This study encapsulates current advancements in Cu-based catalysts for AORs involving alcohols, amines, biomass-derived substrates, urea, hydrazine, and other organic/inorganic substrates oxidation. The catalyst design strategies, electronic structure tuning, and structure-property-performance relationship have also been discussed. Ultimately, the existing obstacles and future outlook for Cu-based AOR catalysts in realistic electrolyzer systems are delineated, offering direction for the systematic design of next-generation electrocatalysts aimed at energy-efficient hydrogen production and sustainable chemical synthesis.