Recent Advances in Surface Modification for Enhanced Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Abstract

Electrochemical CO2 conversion (CO2RR) provides a sustainable route for recycling CO2 and producing value-added chemical feedstocks. However, there are some challenges in this field such as low reaction rate, poor product selectivity (Faradaic efficiency), and insufficient stability. Recently, catalytic surface modification has emerged as an effective way to enhance the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction performance, which plays multiple roles in CO2RR, i.e., increasing local CO2 concentration, regulating the electronic structure of the catalyst, stabilizing key intermediates, inhibiting the side reaction of HER, etc. Herein, we comprehensively summarized the recent advances in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction using various catalytic surface modification strategies, including conductive polymer modification, hydrophobic polymer modification, surfactant modification, ionic liquids and poly(ionic liquids) modification, as well as small organic molecule modification. We highlighted the changes in the surface properties and CO2RR performance of heterogeneous catalysts after surface modification. Finally, the critical challenges and future opportunities in this field were indicated. This review is expected to provide valuable guidance for the rational design of electrocatalysts with satisfactory activity, selectivity, and durability toward target products.