Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> to Value‐Added Chemicals via C–C/N Coupling
Junling Liu, Xuejing Zhang, Rui Yang, Yongan Yang, Xi Wang
Abstract
The efficient conversion and utilization of CO 2 is imminent due to the increase of global CO 2 emissions year by year, so the strategy of electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction to high value‐added chemicals comes into being. The CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) can yield diversified products, including C 1 (like CO, CH 4 , etc.), C 2 (like C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 5 OH, etc.), and other multicarbon compounds. Thereinto, selective transformation to C 2 compounds is relatively significative by reason of high industrial value but being greatly challenging, particularly involving complex CC coupling. Herein, the reaction mechanisms of several C 2 products (including C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 5 OH, and H 2 C 2 O 4 ) and corresponding latest research progress are summarized and discussed. Besides, N atoms, from N 2 , nitrates, and nitrites, are integrated into CO 2 RR to yield nitrogen‐containing organics (like urea, amides, and amines), broadening the application field of CO 2 RR. Therefore, the part on the electrocatalytic coupling of CO 2 and nitrogen sources (including N 2 , NO 3 − , NO 2 − ) by CN bonds is also delved in this review, including recent advances, reaction mechanisms, and related key intermediates.