Optimization Strategies for Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction Based on Atomically Dispersed Copper: A Review

Abstract

The electroreduction reaction of CO2 (eCO2RR) is considered an effective pathway for clean fuel production, greenhouse gas reduction, and resource recycling. Atomically dispersed catalysts exhibit excellent catalytic activity due to the high dispersion of atoms, especially for atomically dispersed copper (AD Cu). Although copper‐based materials are considered major single component materials capable of producing multi‐carbon products, the reaction mechanism is usually not very clear. For AD Cu catalysts, the dynamic transformation of Cu species in the form of single atoms, (nano)clusters, and ions during the reaction process significantly has an effect on the performance of eCO2RR. The core issue that needs to be addressed is how to control and tune the aggregation of Cu atoms to make it most favorable for the desired product or reaction pathways. This review summarizes the optimization strategies for AD Cu in recent years from three main perspectives: interface engineering, electrode engineering, and external field coupling.