What We Currently Know about Carbon-Supported Metal and Metal Oxide Nanomaterials in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 is considered important in enhancing the circular-economy design; it can suppress harmful greenhouse-gas emissions while, combined with intermittent renewable energy sources, it can employ the surplus energy for production of important chemicals and fuels. In the process, electrocatalysts play an important role as the mediators of the highly active and selective conversion of CO2. Transition and post transition metals and their oxides are an important electrocatalyst group. For practical reasons, these metals need to be applied as nanoparticles supported on highly conducting materials enabling fabrication of 3D electrodes. In this minireview, we focus on gathering our current knowledge on the effects which transition and post transition metal and metal oxide nanoparticles supported on different carbons may have on electrochemical reduction of CO2. We focus on literature of studies conducted in aqueous conditions, under as similar conditions as possible, to ensure comparability. This approach enables us to highlight possible support effects and issues that complicate making conclusions on support effects.

Automated summary

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 can help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and utilize surplus energy for production of chemicals and fuels; the application of transition and post transition metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on carbon materials plays a crucial role in the process.