Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Alcohols: Current Understanding, Progress, and Challenges

In comparison with conventional methods, electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2RR) represents a promising and environmentally friendly method to generate value-added products and mitigate anthropogenic climate change. Herein, the recently reported CO2RR catalysts that show high selectivity and activity toward alcohol production are highlighted. The current understanding of reaction pathways on different catalyst surfaces for alcohol production is highlighted and strategies to enhance CO2RR catalytic performance are discussed. Finally, the views on the challenges and possible future paths for the field are shared.

Automated summary

This article introduces the advantages of electrochemical CO2 reduction in generating value-added products and mitigating climate change, with a focus on CO2RR catalysts that exhibit high selectivity and activity in alcohol production. The current understanding of reaction pathways on different catalyst surfaces and strategies to enhance CO2RR catalytic performance are discussed. Finally, the challenges and possible future paths for the field are shared.