Dual-metal synergistic catalysis for promoting electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

Abstract

The increasing emphasis on carbon neutrality has driven significant research into the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), aiming to convert CO₂ into value-added chemicals and fuels. Dual-metal catalysts, known for their synergistic effects, have garnered considerable attention due to their enhanced electrocatalytic performance for the CO₂RR by providing more active sites and optimizing intermediate interactions. Herein, this review will comprehensively explore how the synergistic effect between the two metal centers embedded within atomic and nanoparticle dual-metal catalysts facilitates the electrocatalytic CO₂RR, elucidating the structure–activity correlations. Recent significant progress of dual-metal catalysts with synergistic effects for promoting electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction will be summarized. Moreover, we will explore the design strategies of dual-metal catalysts and examine the influence of different types of metal active centers in the catalysts on the reaction pathway of the electrocatalytic CO₂RR, aiming to uncover profound insights for catalyst optimization and deepen mechanistic understanding of the catalytic process. Finally, the review identifies current research gaps and outlines future directions, emphasizing the need for innovative techniques to enhance catalytic stability and achieve multi-carbon products from the CO₂RR using dual-metal catalysts with synergistic effects. This topic could inspire extensive interest to further accelerate and explore the innovations of catalysts in energy conversion.