Metallic nanocatalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction in aqueous solutions

Yuanxing Wang; Cailing Niu; Dunwei Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2018.05.041

Metallic nanocatalysts for electrochemical CO₂ reduction in aqueous solutions

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2018 Oct 1:527:95-106. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.05.041. Epub 2018 May 16.

Authors

Yuanxing Wang¹, Cailing Niu², Dunwei Wang³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Advanced Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, PR China. Electronic address: ias_yxwang@njtech.edu.cn.
² Institute of Advanced Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, PR China.
³ Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. Electronic address: dunwei.wang@bc.edu.

PMID: 29783143
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.05.041

Abstract

How to effectively and efficiently reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) to value-added chemicals represent a frontier in catalysis research. Due to the high activation energy needs and the endothermic nature of CO₂ reduction, the reactions are difficult to carry out. When H₂O is present, hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) often compete favorably with CO₂ reduction reactions. For these reactions, catalysts are of critical importance to CO₂ reduction. In this article, we review the various metal nanocatalysts for electrochemical CO₂ reduction (ECR) reactions. In recognition of the importance of H₂O to CO₂ reduction, we focus our discussions on systems in aqueous solutions. Nanostructured metal catalysts are chosen for the discussions because they represent the most effective catalysts for ECR. After a brief introduction of the fundamental principles of ECR, we devote the rest of the article on the discussions of various types of nanostructured metallic catalysts, which are categorized by their compositions and working mechanisms. Lastly, strategies for improving reaction efficiency and selectivity are discussed.

Keywords: CO(2) reduction; Electrochemistry; Metal; Nanocatalysts.