Lei Xue , Yuntao Qi , Zhuo Li , Huimin Yang , Ruilin Liu , Bin Zhang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (CO2RR) represents an innovative technology for energy conversion by converting CO2 into value-added multi-carbon fuels and chemicals, with copper (Cu)-based catalysts playing a pivotal role as the only known metallic capable of driving such multi-carbon product formation. However, pure Cu catalysts suffer from intrinsic limitations, including suboptimal selectivity toward desired hydrocarbons due to unstable key intermediate, and rapid deactivation caused by catalyst surface reconstruction under operational conditions. Cu-based alloy catalysts address the challenges of low selectivity, poor stability, and high overpotential in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 by optimizing intermediate adsorption and enhancing reaction kinetics. This review systematically examines the catalytic mechanisms, design principles, and performance of Cu alloys in steering CO2RR pathways toward key products (CO, HCOOH, CH4, C2H4, and C2+ alcohols). By alloying Cu with secondary metals (e.g., Ag, Zn, Sn, or rare-earth elements), bimetallic electronic effects modulate intermediate adsorption energetics (*CO, *COOH, *OCHO) and enhance C–C coupling kinetics. We propose future directions integrating in situ characterization and machine learning-driven alloy design to bridge fundamental understanding with industrial application. This work provides a comprehensive roadmap for developing next-generation Cu alloy catalysts to enable efficient CO2 valorization in a carbon–neutral energy landscape.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Energy Chemistry, the official publication of Science Press and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, serves as a platform for reporting creative research and innovative applications in energy chemistry. It mainly reports on creative researches and innovative applications of chemical conversions of fossil energy, carbon dioxide, electrochemical energy and hydrogen energy, as well as the conversions of biomass and solar energy related with chemical issues to promote academic exchanges in the field of energy chemistry and to accelerate the exploration, research and development of energy science and technologies.
This journal focuses on original research papers covering various topics within energy chemistry worldwide, including:
Optimized utilization of fossil energy
Hydrogen energy
Conversion and storage of electrochemical energy
Capture, storage, and chemical conversion of carbon dioxide
Materials and nanotechnologies for energy conversion and storage
Chemistry in biomass conversion
Chemistry in the utilization of solar energy