Carbon-Based Materials for Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ to C₂₊ Oxygenates: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges

Abstract

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to multicarbon (C2+) products is desirable because of the higher energy density and economic value of C2+ products and the significant scientific issue for coupling of multicarbons. However, efficient conversion of CO2 into C2+ products remains challenging because of the difficulty in C–C coupling. Recently, numerous papers have reported carbon-based materials for C2+ products production from CO2 electrochemical reduction. Because of the unique properties of carbon-based materials in C2+ production, carbon-based materials can be used as a potential alternative for the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2. This Review summarized recent progresses in the formation of C2+ oxygenates from CO2 reduction on carbon-based materials. In this Review, we highlighted the strategies available for achieving C–C coupling on carbon-based electrocatalysts and revealed the relationships between intermediate adsorption energy and the selectivity of oxygenate production from CO2 reduction. Moreover, we provided the understandings for fabricating active sites of CO2 reduction on carbon-based materials and related mechanisms of C2+ oxygenate generation. The remaining challenges and opportunities for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into C2+ oxygenates were discussed.

Helical copper-porphyrinic framework nanoarrays for highly efficient CO2 electroreduction

“…Low C-C coupling activities in value-added C 2+ products create difficulty during transformation, resulting in low efficiency [9][10][11][12][13]. To date, various electrocatalysts, such as metallic materials (e.g., Cu, Ni, Pd, Ag, and In components) [14][15][16][17][18], carbon-based materials [19][20][21], and organic-inorganic hybrid materials [22][23][24], have been designed to obtain high selectivity and activity for multi-carbon reduction products.…”

Catalysis for e-Chemistry: Need and Gaps for a Future De-Fossilized Chemical Production, with Focus on the Role of Complex (Direct) Syntheses by Electrocatalysis

“…In general, the productivity of the CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) to C2+ products (especially C2+ hydrocarbons) is still low, although significant progress has been made recently and now Faradaic selectivity and productivity/current density (to ethylene and ethanol, in particular) have reached levels in some cases which allow possible industrialization to be considered. 74 − 76 However, still a gap exists between production of syngas by coelectrolysis on a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC). The latter is a better solution with respect to the separate production of CO from CO 2 and H 2 from H 2 O in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)-type electrolyzers, although the SOEC still shows relevant issues in terms of cost/performances, reliability and durability.…”

Process modeling, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle assessment of the electrochemical reduction of CO2: a review

“…For further review of the current experimental advances, we refer the reader to the most up to date review papers and individual studies (e.g. latest reviews by May 2021, not extensive: Tan et al, 2021;Ye et al, 2021;Zhao and Quan, 2021).…”