Design strategy of a Cu-based catalyst for optimizing the performance in the electrochemical CO ₂ reduction reaction to multicarbon alcohols

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (ECRR) is a promising method to reduce excessive CO₂ emissions and achieve a sustainable carbon cycle. Due to the high reaction kinetics and efficiency, copper-based catalysts have shown great application potential for preparing multicarbon (C₂₊) products. C₂₊ alcohols have high economic value and use-value, playing an essential role in modern industry. Therefore, we summarize the latest research progress of the ECRR to synthesize C₂₊ alcohols on Cu-based catalysts and discuss the state-of-the-art catalyst design strategies to improve CO₂ reduction performance. Moreover, we analyzed in detail the specific reaction pathways for the conversion of CO₂ to C₂₊ alcohols based on DFT calculations. Finally, we propose the problems and possible solutions for synthesizing C₂₊ alcohols with copper-based catalysts. We hope that this review can provide ideas for devising ECRR catalysts for C₂₊ alcohols.