One-dimensional Nanomaterial Electrocatalysts for CO2 Fixation.

Abstract

Electroreduction of CO2 into valuable molecules or fuels is a sustainable pathway for CO2 reduction as well as energy storage. However, the premature development stage of electrocatalysts with high activity, selectivity, and durability still remains a significant bottleneck that hinders this field. One-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials, including nanorods, nanotubes, nanoribbons, nanowires, and nanofibers, are generally considered as high-activity and stable electromaterials, due to their unique uniform structures, orientated electronic and mass transport, and rigid tolerance to stress variation. During the past several years, 1D nanomaterials and nanostructures have been extensively studied due to their potentials in serving as CO2 electroreduction catalysts. In this minireview, recent studies and advances in 1D nanomaterials for CO2 eletroreduction are summarized, from the viewpoints of both computational and experimental aspects. Based on the composition, the 1D nanomaterials are studied in four categories, including metals, transition-metal oxides/nitrides, transition-metal chalcogenides, and carbon-based materials. Different parameters in tuning 1D materials are also summarized and discussed, such as the crystal facets, grain boundaries, heteroatoms doping, additives and the electrochemical tuning effects. Finally, the challenges and prospects in this direction will be discussed.