Review on strategies for improving the added value and expanding the scope of CO2 electroreduction products

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into value-added chemicals has been explored as a promising solution to realize carbon neutrality and inhibit global warming. This involves utilizing the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to produce a variety of single-carbon (C₁) and multi-carbon (C₂₊) products. Additionally, the electrolyte solution in the CO₂RR system can be enriched with nitrogen sources (such as NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, N₂, or NO) to enable the synthesis of organonitrogen compounds via C–N coupling reactions. However, the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into valuable chemicals still faces challenges in terms of low product yield, poor faradaic efficiency (FE), and unclear understanding of the reaction mechanism. This review summarizes the promising strategies aimed at achieving selective production of diverse carbon-containing products, including CO, formate, hydrocarbons, alcohols, and organonitrogen compounds. These approaches involve the rational design of electrocatalysts and the construction of coupled electrocatalytic reaction systems. Moreover, this review presents the underlying reaction mechanisms, identifies the existing challenges, and highlights the prospects of the electrosynthesis processes. The aim is to offer valuable insights and guidance for future research on the electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into carbon-containing products of enhanced value-added potential.