Interfacial electric field modulation for electrochemical CO₂ reduction: recent advances and future prospects

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) provides a sustainable pathway to convert the greenhouse gas CO₂ into value-added fuels and feedstocks, yet its practical deployment is largely constrained by sluggish reaction kinetics and unsatisfactory product selectivity. As a core component of the electrode-electrolyte interfacial microenvironment, the interfacial electric field has been widely recognized as a powerful handle to tailor CO₂RR activity and selectivity. Herein, we systematically review recent advances in interfacial electric field modulation for CO₂RR. First, the fundamental enhancement mechanisms of the interfacial electric field are elaborated, covering CO₂ activation and selective stabilization of key reaction intermediates. Subsequently, representative regulation strategies are discussed, including interfacial ion modulation, charged interfacial modification, and high-curvature catalyst design, with detailed analysis of their working mechanisms and latest progress. Finally, we outline the challenges in this field and propose promising directions to guide the rational design of high-performance CO₂RR systems via interfacial electric field modulation.