Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectives

Electrocatalytic CO _2 reduction reaction (eCO _2 RR) for C _2+ product generation is crucial for advancing clean energy conversion technologies. Cu-based electrocatalysts have long been regarded as the benchmark for producing C _2+ products by their moderate adsorption energy for key intermediates...

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Main Authors: Yuhang Ye, Chaoyu Ren, Zichao Xi, Qiao Chen, Ho Seok Park, Huanyu Jin, Hui-Ming Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:JPhys Energy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7655/adecc1
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author Yuhang Ye
Chaoyu Ren
Zichao Xi
Qiao Chen
Ho Seok Park
Huanyu Jin
Hui-Ming Cheng
author_facet Yuhang Ye
Chaoyu Ren
Zichao Xi
Qiao Chen
Ho Seok Park
Huanyu Jin
Hui-Ming Cheng
author_sort Yuhang Ye
collection DOAJ
description Electrocatalytic CO _2 reduction reaction (eCO _2 RR) for C _2+ product generation is crucial for advancing clean energy conversion technologies. Cu-based electrocatalysts have long been regarded as the benchmark for producing C _2+ products by their moderate adsorption energy for key intermediates and strong C–C coupling capabilities. However, limitations such as poor stability and low selectivity have driven the search for non-Cu-based alternatives. In this review, we carefully analyze the recent progress in non-Cu-based electrocatalysts for eCO _2 RR. We identify that the CO _2 activation and adsorption behavior of intermediates significantly influence the C–C coupling steps. Considering this foundation, we propose three non-Cu-based electrocatalysts for C _2+ products: frustrated Lewis acid-base pair catalyst, chiral catalyst, and molecular catalyst. These catalysts show significant potential for C _2+ products generation and expanding the catalytic landscape beyond Cu-based systems. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future directions of this emerging field. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview and valuable insights to guide future research efforts in developing novel electrocatalysts, contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy applications.
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issn 2515-7655
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IOP Publishing
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series JPhys Energy
spelling doaj-art-9e2948e67ef5467cb3e0dfbf81722bc02025-08-20T02:40:29ZengIOP PublishingJPhys Energy2515-76552025-01-017404200310.1088/2515-7655/adecc1Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectivesYuhang Ye0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4044-2799Chaoyu Ren1https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5495-7460Zichao Xi2Qiao Chen3Ho Seok Park4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4424-4037Huanyu Jin5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1950-2364Hui-Ming Cheng6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5387-4241Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Carbon Neutrality, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, People’s Republic of ChinaARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010, Melbourne, AustraliaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Carbon Neutrality, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, People’s Republic of ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Carbon Neutrality, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, People’s Republic of ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University , 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Republic of Korea; SKKU Institute of Energy Science and Technology (SIEST), Sungkyunkwan University , 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of KoreaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Carbon Neutrality, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, People’s Republic of ChinaShenzhen Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Carbon Neutrality, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, People’s Republic of ChinaElectrocatalytic CO _2 reduction reaction (eCO _2 RR) for C _2+ product generation is crucial for advancing clean energy conversion technologies. Cu-based electrocatalysts have long been regarded as the benchmark for producing C _2+ products by their moderate adsorption energy for key intermediates and strong C–C coupling capabilities. However, limitations such as poor stability and low selectivity have driven the search for non-Cu-based alternatives. In this review, we carefully analyze the recent progress in non-Cu-based electrocatalysts for eCO _2 RR. We identify that the CO _2 activation and adsorption behavior of intermediates significantly influence the C–C coupling steps. Considering this foundation, we propose three non-Cu-based electrocatalysts for C _2+ products: frustrated Lewis acid-base pair catalyst, chiral catalyst, and molecular catalyst. These catalysts show significant potential for C _2+ products generation and expanding the catalytic landscape beyond Cu-based systems. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future directions of this emerging field. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview and valuable insights to guide future research efforts in developing novel electrocatalysts, contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy applications.https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7655/adecc1CO2 reductionelectrocatalysismulticarbon productscatalystreaction pathway
spellingShingle Yuhang Ye
Chaoyu Ren
Zichao Xi
Qiao Chen
Ho Seok Park
Huanyu Jin
Hui-Ming Cheng
Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectives
JPhys Energy
CO2 reduction
electrocatalysis
multicarbon products
catalyst
reaction pathway
title Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectives
title_full Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectives
title_fullStr Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectives
title_short Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2+ products by non-Cu-based electrocatalysts: challenges and perspectives
title_sort electrocatalytic co2 reduction to c2 products by non cu based electrocatalysts challenges and perspectives
topic CO2 reduction
electrocatalysis
multicarbon products
catalyst
reaction pathway
url https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7655/adecc1
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AT zichaoxi electrocatalyticco2reductiontoc2productsbynoncubasedelectrocatalystschallengesandperspectives
AT qiaochen electrocatalyticco2reductiontoc2productsbynoncubasedelectrocatalystschallengesandperspectives
AT hoseokpark electrocatalyticco2reductiontoc2productsbynoncubasedelectrocatalystschallengesandperspectives
AT huanyujin electrocatalyticco2reductiontoc2productsbynoncubasedelectrocatalystschallengesandperspectives
AT huimingcheng electrocatalyticco2reductiontoc2productsbynoncubasedelectrocatalystschallengesandperspectives