Organic, Organometallic and Bioorganic Catalysts for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2

Abstract

A broad review of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic approaches toward CO₂ reduction using organic, organometallic, and bioorganic systems is provided. Electrochemical, bioelectrochemical and photoelectrochemical approaches are discussed in terms of their faradaic efficiencies, overpotentials and reaction mechanisms. Organometallic complexes as well as semiconductors and their homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic activities are compared to enzymes. In both cases, their immobilization on electrodes is discussed and compared to homogeneous catalysts in solution.

Keywords: CO2 reduction; bioelectrocatalysis; electrocatalysis; heterogeneous catalysis; organic semiconductors.