Progress and Challenges of Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction on Transition Metal Based Electrocatalysts

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main causes of global warming, with the burning of fossil fuels being the main source of anthropogenic CO2. For this reason, the capture and reduction of CO2 to value-added chemicals powered by renewable energy sources is on the forefront of electrocatalyst and photocatalyst research. The choice of catalyst, support structure, and electrolyte are the main factors that impact the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to value-added chemicals and fuels. Therefore, an understanding of each of these factors must be gained prior to large-scale applications. In this review, we provide an overview on the field of CO2RR electrocatalysis based on nonprecious transition metal based catalysts with a focus on their design, synthesis, characterization, and mechanisms of CO2RR. Special attention is paid to advanced catalysts design incorporating two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbide and nitride materials, and state-of-the-art in situ/operando spectroelectrochemical techniques. Lastly, remaining grand challenges in the field and outlooks for future research and opportunities are provided.