Progress of electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions over polyoxometalate-based materials

Abstract

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction to value-added fuels and chemicals is recognized as a promising strategy to alleviate energy shortages and global warming owing to its high efficiency and economic feasibility. Recently, understanding the activity origin, selectivity regulation, and reaction mechanisms of CO 2 reduction reactions (CO 2 RRs) has become the focus of efficient electrocatalyst design. Polyoxometalates (POMs), a unique class of nanosized metal-oxo clusters, are promising candidates for the development of efficient CO 2 RR electrocatalysts and, owing to their well-defined structure, remarkable electron/proton storage and transfer ability, and capacities for adsorption and activation of CO 2 , are ideal models for investigating the activity origin and reaction mechanisms of CO 2 RR electrocatalysts. In this review, we focus on the activity origin and mechanism of CO 2 RRs and survey recent advances that were achieved by employing POMs in electrocatalytic CO 2 RRs. We highlight the significant roles of POMs in the electrocatalytic CO 2 RR process and the main factors influencing selectivity regulation and catalytic CO 2 RR performance, including the electrolyte, electron-transfer process, and surface characteristics. Finally, we offer a perspective of the advantages and future challenges of POM-based materials in electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction that could inform new advancements in this promising research field. Recent progress in the field of electrochemical CO 2 reduction reactions over polyoxometalate (POM)-based materials have been summarized and critically reviewed, highlighting the activity origin and reaction mechanisms of POM-based materials.