Issue 11, 2021

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction: role of the cross-talk at nano-carbon interfaces

Abstract

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an interfacial process, involving a minimum of three phases at the contact point of gaseous CO2 with the electrodic surface and the liquid electrolyte. As a consequence, surface chemistry at composite interfaces plays a central role for CO2RR selectivity and catalysis. Each interface defines a functional boundary, where active sites are exposed to a unique environment, with respect to distal sites in the bulk of organic and inorganic domains. While the individual role of each component-type is hardly predictable “a-solo”, the interface ensemble works via a strategic interplay of individual effects, including: (i) enhanced electrical conductivity, (ii) high surface area and exposure of the interfacial catalytic sites, (iii) favorable diffusion and feeding of reactants, (iv) complementary interactions for the “on/off” stabilization of cascade intermediates, (v) a secondary sphere assistance to lower the activation energy of bottleneck steps, (vi) a reinforced robustness and long-term operation stability. Selected CO2RR case studies are compared and contrasted to highlight how the organic domains of carbon nanostructures merge with metal and metal-oxide active sites to separate tasks but also to turn them into a cooperative asset of mutual interactions, thus going beyond the classic “Divide et Impera” rule.

Graphical abstract: Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction: role of the cross-talk at nano-carbon interfaces

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
22 1月 2021
Accepted
01 10月 2021
First published
21 10月 2021
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Energy Environ. Sci., 2021,14, 5816-5833

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction: role of the cross-talk at nano-carbon interfaces

M. Melchionna, P. Fornasiero, M. Prato and M. Bonchio, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 5816 DOI: 10.1039/D1EE00228G

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