Immobilization strategies for porphyrin-based molecular catalysts for the electroreduction of CO2

The ever-growing level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere, is at once a threat and an opportunity. The development of sustainable and cost-effective pathways to convert CO2 to value-added chemicals is central to reducing its atmospheric presence. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions (CO(2)RRs) driven by renewable electricity are among the most promising techniques to utilize this abundant resource; however, in order to reach a system viable for industrial implementation, continued improvements to the design of electrocatalysts is essential to improve the economic prospects of the technology. This review summarizes recent developments in heterogeneous porphyrin-based electrocatalysts for CO2 capture and conversion. We specifically discuss the various chemical modifications necessary for different immobilization strategies, and how these choices influence catalytic properties. Although a variety of molecular catalysts have been proposed for CO(2)RRs, the stability and tunability of porphyrin-based catalysts make their use particularly promising in this field. We discuss the current challenges facing CO(2)RRs using these catalysts and our own solutions that have been pursued to address these hurdles.

Automated summary

The increasing level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere poses both a threat and an opportunity. Utilizing the abundant resource of CO2 through electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions driven by renewable electricity shows great potential, but the design of electrocatalysts needs to be improved to make it economically viable. This review focuses on recent developments in porphyrin-based electrocatalysts for CO2 capture and conversion, discussing the necessary chemical modifications for different immobilization strategies and how they affect catalytic properties. Porphyrin-based catalysts, known for their stability and tunability, hold promise in this field.