Nanoporous carbons for the electrochemical reduction of CO2: Challenges to discriminate the roles of nanopore confinement and functionalization

Harnessing Lignocellulosic Waste‐Derived Carbon Materials for Green Electrochemical Applications

“…As a result, carbon materials are increasingly being favored for use in electrochemical applications, supplanting traditional metal-based electrocatalysts that come with several drawbacks, including higher costs, limited availability and reduced durability. [17] Frequently, different types of carbonaceous materials such as glassy carbon, carbon paper or carbon cloth are used as supports for electrocatalysts to achieve a large electrochemical surface area and a good dispersion of the correspondent electrocatalyst. [18] Nevertheless, their capability is not limited to serve as mere supports; carbonaceous materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, nanoporous carbons or carbon nitrides also possess a significant capacity to act as metal-free electrocatalysts for various electrochemical reactions.…”

“…[18] Nevertheless, their capability is not limited to serve as mere supports; carbonaceous materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, nanoporous carbons or carbon nitrides also possess a significant capacity to act as metal-free electrocatalysts for various electrochemical reactions. [17] Surface functionalities, numerous active sites, a wide range of surface areas, mechanical stability, resistance to corrosion and a good electrical conductivity, make different type of carbons ideal materials for carrying out electrochemical reactions. In this context, carbon-derived materials doped with different atoms such as nitrogen, boron, fluorine, phosphorus, sulfur or selenium have effectively demonstrated their capacity for electroreduction of CO 2 .…”