Electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable chemicals and fuels driven by renewable energy plays a crucial role in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Understanding the structure–activity relationship and the reaction mechanism is significant for tuning electrocatalyst selectivity. Therefore, characterizing catalyst dynamic evolution and reaction intermediates under reaction conditions is necessary but still challenging. We first summarize the most recent progress in mechanistic understanding of heterogeneous CO2/CO reduction using in situ/operando techniques, including surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopies, X-ray- and electron-based techniques, and mass spectroscopy, along with discussing remaining limitations. We then offer insights and perspectives to accelerate the future development of in situ/operando techniques. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Volume 14 is June 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Nanostructured Cu catalysts have increased the selectivities and geometric activities for high value C-C coupled (C2) products (ethylene, acetate, and ethanol) in the electrochemical CO(2) reduction reaction (CO(2)RR). The selectivity among the high-value C2 products is also altered, where for instance the yield of acetate increases with alkalinity and is dependent on the catalyst morphology. The reaction mechanisms behind the selectivity towards acetate vs. other C2 products remain controversial. In this work, we elucidate the reaction mechanism towards acetate by using ab-initio simulations, a coupled kinetic-transport model, and loading experiments. We find that trends in acetate selectivity can be rationalized from variations in electrolyte pH and the local mass transport properties of the catalyst and not from changes of Cu's intrinsic activity. The selectivity mechanism originates in the transport of ketene, a stable (closed shell) intermediate, away from the catalyst surface into solution where it reacts to acetate. While such a mechanism has not yet been discussed in CO(2)RR, variants of it may explain similar selectivity fluctuations observed for other stable intermediates like CO and acetaldehyde. Our proposed mechanism suggests that acetate selectivity increases with increasing pH, decreasing catalyst roughness and significantly varies with applied potential.

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Nanostructured Cu catalysts have increased the selectivities and geometric activities for high value C-C coupled (C2) products in the electrochemical CO(2) reduction reaction (CO(2)RR). The selectivity among the high-value C2 products is also altered, where for instance the yield of acetate increases with alkalinity and is dependent on the catalyst morphology. The reaction mechanisms behind the selectivity towards acetate vs. other C2 products remain controversial. In this work, we elucidate the reaction mechanism behind selectivity towards acetate by using ab-initio simulations, a coupled kinetic-transport model, and loading experiments. We find that trends in acetate selectivity can be rationalized from variations in electrolyte pH and the local mass transport properties of the catalyst and not from changes of Cu’s intrinsic activity. The selectivity mechanism originates in the transport of ketene, a stable (closed shell) intermediate, away from the catalyst surface into solution where it reacts to acetate. While such a mechanism has not yet been discussed in CO(2)RR, variants of it may explain similar selectivity fluctuations observed for other stable intermediates like CO and acetaldehyde. Our proposed mechanism suggests acetate selectivity to increase with increasing pH, decreasing catalyst roughness and to significantly vary with applied potential.

Nanostructured Cu catalysts have increased the selectivities and geometric activities for high value C-C coupled (C2) products (ethylene, acetate, and ethanol) in the electrochemical CO(2) reduction reaction (CO(2)RR). The selectivity among the high-value C2 products is also altered, where for instance the yield of acetate increases with alkalinity and is dependent on the catalyst morphology. The reaction mechanisms behind the selectivity towards acetate vs. other C2 products remain controversial. In this work, we elucidate the reaction mechanism towards acetate by using ab-initio simulations, a coupled kinetic-transport model, and loading experiments. We find that trends in acetate selectivity can be rationalized from variations in electrolyte pH and the local mass transport properties of the catalyst and not from changes of Cu's intrinsic activity. The selectivity mechanism originates in the transport of ketene, a stable (closed shell) intermediate, away from the catalyst surface into solution where it reacts to acetate. While such a mechanism has not yet been discussed in CO(2)RR, variants of it may explain similar selectivity fluctuations observed for other stable intermediates like CO and acetaldehyde. Our proposed mechanism suggests that acetate selectivity increases with increasing pH, decreasing catalyst roughness and significantly varies with applied potential.