Defect engineering of nanomaterials for selective electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

Defect engineering regulation has long been regarded as an efficient strategy to construct highly selective electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (ECO₂RR) catalysts. Recently, tremendous efforts have been made in the development of efficient catalysts by defect design to convert CO₂ into high-value chemicals such as C₁, C₂, and C₃ products. Here, a concise but comprehensive review of recent progress in the field of ECO₂RR is provided. A series of recently developed defect strategies are summarized under a framework of vacancy defects, doping defects, lattice defects, and edge defects. Besides the relationship between catalyst design and performance, the key factors of device types, ion-exchange membranes, and electrode configuration related to the performance of ECO₂RR electrolyzers are discussed. Lastly, recent advances in industrial applications and related economic analyses, along with some challenges and opportunities, are highlighted.