Recent advances in the electroreduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid over carbon-based materials

The electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) driven by renewable energy is an important route for CO(2 & nbsp;)conversion and utilization. Formic acid (HCOOH), as an important chemical and safe hydrogen storage material, is one of the main and promising materials for CO(2 & nbsp;)electroreduction. The physical and chemical properties of CO(2 & nbsp;)and the reaction mechanisms for its electroreduction to HCOOH are outlined and the recent development of carbon-based catalysts, including metal-free carbon catalysts and carbon-supported catalysts, for CO(2 & nbsp;)electroreduction to HCOOH is reviewed. The design of reactors for HCOOH production and strategies for their optimization are summarized and discussed. Hybrid CO(2 & nbsp;)electrolysis technology is analyzed, such as electroreduction coupled with the methanol electrooxidation reaction. Lastly, key challenges and development trends for CO(2 & nbsp;)electroreduction to HCOOH are presented, which are expected to provide guidance for the development of this technique.

Automated summary

The electroreduction of CO2 to formic acid is an important method for converting and utilizing CO2. This article outlines the properties and reaction mechanisms of CO2 and reviews recent developments in carbon-based catalysts for CO2 electroreduction. It also summarizes the design and optimization strategies of reactors for formic acid production and analyzes the hybrid CO2 electrolysis technology. Lastly, it presents the key challenges and development trends for CO2 electroreduction to formic acid.