The excessive use of fossil resources has led to a rapid increase in the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) level in the atmosphere. In order to curb the harmful consequences of global warming, it is urgent to develop effective CO 2 conversion technologies. The electroreduction CO 2 reaction (CO 2 RR), using green electricity and low-cost water as the proton source, is a promising solution to convert CO 2 into valuable fuels or chemicals. Its successful implementation will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also develop a fossil-independent chemical industry.
However, CO 2 is a non-polar linear molecule with strong bond energy, making it difficult to activate. It often requires a large overpotential and encounters severe hydrogen evolution side reaction. In addition, the CO 2 RR products are varieties of C 1 to C 4 hydrocarbons and oxygenates. High overpotential and low selectivity lead to a poor CO 2 RR energy conversion efficiency. Developing a catalyst with high activity and selectivity (especially toward a single product) is a prerequisite for the high-efficiency CO 2 RR conversion.
Copper (Cu) is the only monometallic catalyst that can produce carbon monoxide (CO), formic acid/formate (HCOOH/HCOO − ), and deep-reduced products such as methane (CH 4 ), ethylene (C 2 H 4 ), and ethanol (C 2 H 5 OH). However, its activity, selectivity, and durability are still far from meeting practical application needs. Prof. L. Zhuang and colleagues in Wuhan University reviewed the recent progress of Cu-based catalysts, focusing on the effective strategies for improving the activity, selectivity, and durability of Cu-based catalysts. These strategies can be divided into two categories: tuning the surface atomic/electronic structures and regulating the local physical/chemical environment. This review first summarized the successful implementation of these strategies in promoting different products formation, followed by the reasons for Cu-based catalysts’ deactivation and the potential solutions. It may help to outline the current challenges and future opportunities in this field.
See the article : Liu C, Gong J, Gao Z, Xiao L, Wang G, Lu J, Zhuang L. Regulation of the Activity, Selectivity, and Durability of Cu-based Electrocatalysts for CO 2 Reduction. Sci. China Chem. , 2021, Doi: 10.1007/s11426-021-1120-3.
http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1007/s11426-021-1120-3
Science China Chemistry