Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Multicarbon Products on Non-Copper Based Catalysts

Abstract

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (eCO₂RR) to value-added multicarbon (C₂₊) products offers a promising approach for achieving carbon neutrality and storing intermittent renewable energy. Copper (Cu)-based electrocatalysts generally play the predominant role in this process. Yet recently, more and more non-Cu materials have demonstrated the capability to convert CO₂ into C₂₊, which provides impressive production efficiency even exceeding those on Cu, and a wider variety of C₂₊ compounds not achievable with Cu counterparts. This motivates us to organize the present review to make a timely and tutorial summary of recent progresses on developing non-Cu based catalysts for CO₂-to-C₂₊. We begin by elucidating the reaction pathways for C₂₊ formation, with an emphasis on the unique C-C coupling mechanisms in non-Cu electrocatalysts. Subsequently, we summarize the typical C₂₊-involved non-Cu catalysts, including ds-, d- and p-block metals, as well as metal-free materials, presenting the state-of-the-art design strategies to enhance C₂₊ efficiency. The system upgrading to promote C₂₊ productivity on non-Cu electrodes covering microbial electrosynthesis, electrolyte engineering, regulation of operational conditions, and synergistic co-electrolysis, is highlighted as well. Our review concludes with an exploration of the challenges and future opportunities in this rapidly evolving field.

Keywords: Catalyst design; Electrochemical CO2reduction reaction (eCO2RR); Multicarbon (C2+) products; Non-copper (non-Cu) catalysts; System upgrading.