Nature‐Inspired Electrocatalysts for CO₂ Reduction to C₂₊ Products

Abstract

The electrocatalytic reduction reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) has gained significant attention as a promising approach to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and generate valuable chemicals and fuels. However, the practical application of CO2RR has been hindered by the lack of efficient and selective electrocatalysts, particularly to produce multi‐carbon (C2+) products. Nature serves as an ideal source of inspiration for the development of CO2RR electrocatalysts, as biological organisms can efficiently catalyze the same reaction and possess robust structures that are inherently scaling. In this review, recent advances in the nature‐inspired design of electrocatalysts for CO2RR to C2+ products are summarized and categorized based on their inspiration source, including the coordination sphere of metalloenzymes and the cascade reactions within the enzyme, as well as the local environment. The importance of understanding the fundamental mechanisms and the different contexts between nature and technological application in the design process is highlighted, with the aim to improve the nature‐inspired design of electrocatalysts for CO2RR to C2+ products.

Structural engineering of atomic catalysts for electrocatalysis

“…1 Therein, the wide application of electrocatalysis technology reduces the industrial dependence on fossil fuels and alleviates the environmental crisis, for instance, CO 2 can be converted into chemicals with high added value through the electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR). 2,3 Fuel cells and water splitting are new energy conversion technologies, in which no carbon-containing compounds are released and the core reactions are the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). 4–7 Ammonia synthesis by the Haber–Bosch process requires high temperature and high pressure, which can be achieved by the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) at normal temperature and normal pressure.…”