Interfacial electric field effect on electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction

Abstract

The electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) powered by renewable electricity offers an appealing way to achieve carbon neutrality by converting CO 2 back into value-added chemicals and fuels. However, this reaction still faces severe problems of high overpotential or poor selectivity toward one specific product due to the slow kinetics and diverse reaction pathways. It is known that the interfacial electric field is the essential driving force of an electrochemical reaction. Herein, we review the recent progress of interfacial electric field effects on the electrochemical CO 2 RR. First, the classic interfacial electric double layer structure is introduced. Then several critical aspects, such as cation, morphology, and additive, that can affect the interfacial electric field are systematically discussed. Finally, we summarize the recent advances and provide some personal perspectives for this emerging research direction. It is believed that this work will stimulate new understanding of the interfacial electric field effect on electrochemical CO 2 RR and beyond. The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the global atmosphere poses a great threat to the environment. In 2021, the total amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere was approximately 3,250 gigatons, reaching a concentration of up to 416.5 ppm. This serious situation has motivated researchers to develop various techniques to cut CO 2 emissions. Currently, the electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) powered by renewable electricity is emerging as an efficient and green way to use CO 2 as a feedstock to produce value-added chemicals and fuels, such as carbon monoxide, formic acid, methanol, ethylene, and ethanol. However, the practical application of electrochemical CO 2 RR remains limited by its poor selectivity and large overpotential. This review highlights recent progress in the interfacial electric field effect on electrochemical CO 2 reduction, the existing challenges, and future perspectives, aiming to gain critical insights into CO 2 RR and further boost its overall performance. The electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO 2 )reduction reaction is of great significance in cutting CO 2 emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. Recent studies have observed that the interfacial electric field controlled by cations, morphology, and additives has profound effects on the thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical CO 2 reduction processes. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the interfacial electric field effects on electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction.