Single‐Atom Electrocatalysts for Multi‐Electron Reduction of CO₂

Abstract

The multi‐electron reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbons or alcohols is highly attractive in a sustainable energy economy, and the rational design of electrocatalysts is vital to achieve these reactions efficiently. Single‐atom electrocatalysts are promising candidates due to their well‐defined coordination configurations and unique electronic structures, which are critical for delivering high activity and selectivity and may accelerate the explorations of the activity origin at atomic level as well. Although much effort has been devoted to multi‐electron reduction of CO2 on single‐atom electrocatalysts, there are still no reviews focusing on this emerging field and constructive perspectives are also urgent to be addressed. Herein recent advances in how to design efficient single‐atom electrocatalysts for multi‐electron reduction of CO2, with emphasis on strategies in regulating the interactions between active sites and key reaction intermediates, are summarized. Such interactions are crucial in designing active sites for optimizing the multi‐electron reduction steps and maximizing the catalytic performance. Different design strategies including regulation of metal centers, single‐atom alloys, non‐metal single‐atom catalysts, and tandem catalysts, are discussed accordingly. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities for deep electroreduction of CO2 are proposed.

Emerging Ultrahigh‐Density Single‐Atom Catalysts for Versatile Heterogeneous Catalysis Applications: Redefinition, Recent Progress, and Challenges

“…Using renewable electricity to drive electrocatalysis to reduce greenhouse gas CO 2 into high value‐added carbonaceous chemicals is an ideal way to promote sustainable energy economy and achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. [ 196 ] Among many reduction products, the CO (or syngas) is considered to be one of the most ideal and economical raw material in subsequent chemical synthesis of diversified organic products. [ 197 ] However, CO 2 reduction reaction is a multielectron process from perspective of kinetics, and products are complex, where catalyst is the key to achieve efficient selective CO 2 reduction.…”

Research Progress and Application of Single-Atom Catalysts: A Review

“…The single-atom catalyst electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction can convert greenhouse gases into high value-added chemicals or fuels, which can achieve sustainable goals [88,89]. Atomically dispersed mono-atomic catalysts are one of the most attractive electrocatalysts for the CO 2 reduction reaction (ORR) [90].…”

Atomically Dispersed Fe-Co Bimetallic Catalysts for the Promoted Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide

“…The state-of-art ECO 2 RR catalyst design focuses on metal-based catalysts. For example, Cu-based catalysts are exclusively effective for the production of alcohols/hydrocarbons; Ag, Au, and Zn, or most recently the atomically dispersed M–N-C catalysts are efficient for CO production [ 6 , 7 ]. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are known for their efficient active sites, maximized utilization of metal atoms, and low cost.…”