Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) is crucial to addressing environmental crises and producing chemicals. Proton activation and transfer are essential in CO2 RR. To date, few research reviews have focused on this process and its effect on catalytic performance. Recent studies have demonstrated ways to improve CO2 RR by regulating proton transfer dynamics. This Concept highlights the use of regulating proton transfer dynamics to enhance CO2 RR for the target product and discusses modulation strategies for proton transfer dynamics and operative mechanisms in typical systems, including single-atom catalysts, molecular catalysts, metal heterointerfaces, and organic-ligand modified metal catalysts. Characterization methods for proton transfer dynamics during CO2 RR are also discussed, providing powerful tools for the hydrogen-involving electrochemical study. This Concept offers new insights into the CO2 RR mechanism and guides the design of efficient CO2 RR systems.
Keywords: CO2 electroreduction; electrocatalysis; kinetics; proton transfer; reaction mechanisms.
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