Recent Advances in Interface Engineering for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Reaction

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) can store and transform the intermittent renewable energy in the form of chemical energy for industrial production of chemicals and fuels, which can dramatically reduce CO2 emission and contribute to carbon-neutral cycle. Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of chemically inert CO2 is challenging from thermodynamic and kinetic points of view. Therefore, low-cost, highly efficient, and readily available electrocatalysts have been the focus for promoting the conversion of CO2. Very recently, interface engineering has been considered as a highly effective strategy to modulate the electrocatalytic performance through electronic and/or structural modulation, regulations of electron/proton/mass/intermediates, and the control of local reactant concentration, thereby achieving desirable reaction pathway, inhibiting competing hydrogen generation, breaking binding-energy scaling relations of intermediates, and promoting CO2 mass transfer. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments in interface engineering for CO2RR from both a theoretical and experimental standpoint, involving interfaces between metal and metal, metal and metal oxide, metal and nonmetal, metal oxide and metal oxide, organic molecules and inorganic materials, electrode and electrolyte, molecular catalysts and electrode, etc. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of interface engineering for CO2RR are proposed.

Automated summary

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction is crucial for storing and transforming renewable energy into chemical energy. Interface engineering has emerged as an effective strategy to modulate electrocatalytic performance by controlling local reactant concentration and achieving desirable reaction pathways, inhibiting competing hydrogen generation, and promoting CO2 mass transfer. Opportunities and challenges of interface engineering for CO2RR are also discussed.