A review on recent advances in the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to CO with nano-electrocatalysts

Abstract

Electrochemical reduction (ECR) of CO2 reduces world’s carbon footprint by converting CO2 to useful products such as CH3OH and CO. This review summarizes recent progress in the ECR of CO2 to CO on nano-electrocatalysts.

Carbon black supported Ag nanoparticles in zero-gap CO2 electrolysis to CO enabling high mass activity

“…the intermediate CO species are strongly bound to the catalyst surface, preventing them from undergoing further reduction to other products. 10 According to a study by Lim et al, density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the required overpotential for the electroreduction of CO 2 to CO (CO 2 RR) can be signicantly reduced (∼0.5 V) by doping Ag-based catalysts with sulfur (S) or arsenic (As). 11 They proposed that the enhanced performance of the Ag-S or Ag-As catalysts is due to the introduction of covalent bonds on the Ag surface.…”

Recent Advances and New Challenges: Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework and Their Composites/Derivatives for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage

“…Electrocatalysis is a surface reaction, in which the catalytic performance of the catalyst depends on their surface properties to a large extent. In this regard, 2D pristine MOFs and their composites are the most prominent electrocatalysts with favorable International Journal of Energy Research properties, such as ultrahigh thickness, enhanced conductivity, high surface to volume atom ratio, tunable oxidation state, and exposed active sites which are shown in Figure 9 [162][163][164]. This section presents advanced 2D MOF-based electrocatalysts for the HER, OER, ORR, CO 2 RR, and UOR.…”

Synthetic approaches and electrocatalytic reactions of pristine metal–organic frameworks for energy conversion

“…Both of them are commonly used as precursors for the hydroformylation process for methanol synthesis and the Fischer-Tropsch process to produce high-value hydrocarbons. 67 Hydrocarbon products such as C 2 H 4 and CH 4 have attracted much attention because of their compatibility with the existing infrastructure and their suitability as substitutes for fossil fuels. 68 The activation of CO 2 is hindered by the extremely stable molecular structure with high CO dissociation energy (803 kJ mol −1 ), leading to sluggish kinetics and side reactions that result in low selectivity and limited durability.…”