Recent progress on hybrid electrocatalysts for efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to value-added fuels and chemicals provides an alternative way to realize sustainable carbon recycling. Developing robust electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity is critically important for achieving efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Hybrid electrocatalysts with the catalytically active species ranging from atomic scale to nanoscale (single atoms, nanoclusters, and nanoparticles) anchored on functional supports have demonstrated encouraging catalytic activity for a variety of catalysis applications. Particularly, manipulating metal-support interface chemistry has been regarded as one of the most efficient strategies to optimize the catalytic performance of hybrid catalysts, and is becoming an emerging research frontier in the catalysis filed. In this review, we summarized the recent progress on hybrid electrocatalysts towards efficient CO2RR with a focus on strategies for manipulating the metal-support interaction. In this regard, the approaches for tuning metal-support interaction were discussed in detail from three aspects: metal active species, functional supports, and treatments of electrocatalysts. The relevant fundamentals for CO2RR, including reaction mechanisms and crucial parameters, are also comprehensively discussed. Finally, the research challenges are highlighted and perspectives are proposed towards rational design of robust electrocatalysts for CO2RR.