Recent Advances in Inorganic Heterogeneous Electrocatalysts for Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

TLDR

Climate change drives the need for CO₂ conversion, and electrochemical reduction has been extensively studied but remains limited by sluggish kinetics, necessitating efficient electrocatalysts. This review discusses recent progress and opportunities in inorganic heterogeneous electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction from experimental and computational perspectives. Inorganic catalysts are grouped into metals, transition‑metal oxides, chalcogenides, and carbon‑based materials, and future development will rely on surface engineering, chemical modification, nanostructuring, and composites.

Abstract

In view of the climate changes caused by the continuously rising levels of atmospheric CO 2 , advanced technologies associated with CO 2 conversion are highly desirable. In recent decades, electrochemical reduction of CO 2 has been extensively studied since it can reduce CO 2 to value‐added chemicals and fuels. Considering the sluggish reaction kinetics of the CO 2 molecule, efficient and robust electrocatalysts are required to promote this conversion reaction. Here, recent progress and opportunities in inorganic heterogeneous electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction are discussed, from the viewpoint of both experimental and computational aspects. Based on elemental composition, the inorganic catalysts presented here are classified into four groups: metals, transition‐metal oxides, transition‐metal chalcogenides, and carbon‐based materials. However, despite encouraging accomplishments made in this area, substantial advances in CO 2 electrolysis are still needed to meet the criteria for practical applications. Therefore, in the last part, several promising strategies, including surface engineering, chemical modification, nanostructured catalysts, and composite materials, are proposed to facilitate the future development of CO 2 electroreduction.