Single atom-based catalysts for electrochemical CO₂ reduction

A comprehensive review of recent progresses for CO₂RR using SACs

19-Jul-2022 - China

Consumption of traditional fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil) has resulted in escalated CO₂concentration in air which is responsible for global climate change. Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) using renewable energy has emerged as a promising approach for converting CO₂ into fuels and value-added chemicals. However, CO₂RR is challenged by several problems, including stable C=O bond (806 kJ/mol) in CO₂, competitive hydrogen evolution reaction, low CO₂solubility in aqueous electrolytes, and multi-products selectivity. Single atom-based catalysts (SACs) including heterogeneous single atom catalysts and molecular catalysts are promising materials for CO₂ reduction, attributed to their advantages of strong single atom-support interactions, maximum metal utilization, excellent catalytic activity and tunability over the steric and electronic properties of the active sites. However, heterogeneous SACs are restricted by particles agglomeration, low metal loading, and difficulty in large-scale production, while molecular catalysts generally suffer from moderate activity, stability, and poor electrical conductivity.

Recently, a research team led by Prof. Chuan Zhao from University of New South Wales, Australia reported a comprehensive review of recent progresses for CO₂RR using SACs. The review summarized the fabrication strategies of SACs and highlighted the superior electrocatalytic properties of SACs toward CO₂ reduction. Latest developments in ex-situ and in situ/operando characterizations are discussed to probe the active sites, study the CO₂ reduction mechanism, and explore the catalyst structure-activity relationship. Future perspectives and challenges for CO₂RR are pointed out as well.

Original publication

Qian Sun et al.; Single atom-based catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction; Chinese Journal of Catalysis; Volume 43, Issue 7, July 2022, Pages 1547-1597

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1176912/single-atom-based-catalysts-for-electrochemical-co-reduction.html

Original publication

Qian Sun et al.; Single atom-based catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction; Chinese Journal of Catalysis; Volume 43, Issue 7, July 2022, Pages 1547-1597

Topics

single-atom catalysts catalysts electrochemistry reduction reactions

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Organizations

DICP