Optimization Strategies for Electrocatalytic CO <sub>2</sub> Reduction Based on Atomically Dispersed Copper: A Review
Yuan Li, Bin Guan, Zhongqi Zhuang, Junyan Chen, Lei Zhu, Zeren Ma, Xuehan Hu, Chenyu Zhu, Sikai Zhao, Kaiyou Shu, Hongtao Dang, Tiankui Zhu, Zhen Huang
Abstract
Abstract The electroreduction reaction of CO 2 (eCO 2 RR) 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 eCO 2 RR. 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.