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Rational Design of Nanocatalysts with Nonmetal Species Modification for Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction
Author(s) -
Wu Yunzhen,
Cao Shuyan,
Hou Jungang,
Li Zhuwei,
Zhang Bo,
Zhai Panlong,
Zhang Yanting,
Sun Licheng
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.202000588
Subject(s) - nanomaterial based catalyst , nonmetal , overpotential , materials science , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , biochemical engineering , chemistry , metal , engineering , electrode , nanoparticle , metallurgy
Converting CO 2 to valuable carbonaceous fuels and chemicals via electrochemical CO 2 reduction by using renewable energy sources is considered to be a scalable strategy with substantial environmental and economic benefits. One of the challenges in this field is to develop nanocatalysts with superior electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for targeted products. Nonmetal species modification of nanocatalysts is of great significance for the construction of distinctive active sites to overcome the kinetic limitations of CO 2 reduction. These types of modification enable the efficient control of the selectivity and significantly decrease the reaction overpotential. Herein, a comprehensive review of the recent progress of nonmetal species modification of nanocatalysts for electrochemical CO 2 reduction is presented. After discussing some fundamental parameters and the basic principles of CO 2 reduction, including possible reaction pathways in light of theoretical modeling and experiments, the identification of active sites and elucidation of reaction mechanisms are emphasized for unraveling the role of nonmetal species modification, such as heteroatom incorporation, organic molecule decoration, electrolyte engineering, and single‐atom engineering. In the final section, future challenges and constructive perspectives are provided, facilitating the accelerated advancement of mechanism research and practical applications of green carbon cycling.