Cu-based nanocatalysts for electrochemical reduction of CO2

Abstract Understanding CO 2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) and developing robust catalysts for selective CO2RR is key to closing carbon cycle and to achieving energy sustainability with desired environmental remediation. Electrochemical CO2RR on a catalyst surface is an attractive method to realize high reaction activity and selectivity under mild reaction conditions. Among various catalysts studied thus far, metallic Cu-based nanocatalysts have demonstrated to be promising for selective CO2RR to HCOOH, CO or, more importantly, to CH 4 , C 2 H 4 and C 2 H 6 with relatively high efficiency. This review summarizes recent progresses made on these Cu-based nanocatalysts for CO2RR, including fundamental of electrochemical CO2RR, representative approaches to Cu-based nanocatalysts via nanoporous structure, nanoparticle size, composition, surface, support and morphology controls. The review should offer readers some important insights on Cu-catalyzed CO2RR, and will further help readers in their efforts to design and develop robust catalysts for active and selective CO2RR.