Copper‐based Materials for Photo and Electrocatalytic Process: Advancing Renewable Energy and Environmental Applications
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract Cu‐based catalysts have emerged as critical components in photo‐ and electrocatalysis, offering sustainable solutions for renewable energy and environmental applications. The variable oxidation states of Cu enable diverse catalytic pathways, and its abundance, low cost, and tunable properties have positioned them at the forefront of catalytic innovation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Cu‐based catalysts applied for sustainable energy production and environmental remediation. The classification of copper‐based catalysts, including metallic copper, copper oxides, copper sulfides, copper halide perovskites, copper‐based metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), is discussed, highlighting their structural and functional diversity. Various synthesis methods, such as wet chemical approaches, electrochemical and photochemical routes, sputtering, and thermal decomposition, are presented. The applications of copper‐based catalysts in key sustainable energy and environmental remediation processes are explored, focusing on photo‐ and electrocatalysis. Specifically, CO 2 reduction, water splitting, oxygen reduction, nitrogen fixation, pollutant degradation, and organic synthesis are examined. The mechanisms underlying these processes are analyzed, including the factors influencing their efficiency and selectivity. These applications demonstrate their potential for tackling dual global challenges: diversifying the energy matrix and mitigating environmental issues. By bridging fundamental insights, this review underscores Cu‐based catalysts as a cornerstone in advancing sustainable energy technologies.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Copper-based nanomaterials and applications · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Nanotechnology National Laboratory for Agriculture (LNNA) – Embrapa Instrumentation São Carlos SP 13560–970 Brazil
CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 China
Federal University of São Carlos Science and Technology Center for Sustainability – UFSCar Sorocaba SP 18052–780 Brazil
Laboratory of Photochemistry and Materials Science LAFOT‐CM Federal University of Uberlândia Uberlândia MG 38400–902 Brazil
Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of São Paulo – IFSP Campus Itapetininga Itapetininga SP 18202‐000 Brazil
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
Laboratory of Photoactive nanocomposite materials Saint‐Petersburg University Saint Petersburg 199034 Russia
International Joint Center of Nature‐Inspired Carbon Neutrality Solutions School of Resources, Environment and Materials Guangxi University Nanning Guangxi 530004 China
Centro de Excelência em Hidrogênio e Tecnologias Energéticas Sustentáveis (CEHTES) Federal University of Goias Goiânia GO Brazil
Institut Fuer Technische Chemie Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover Callinstrasse 3 30167 Hannover Germany
Funding
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico · Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo · Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais · National Natural Science Foundation of China
References (100+)
Show source-provided references
1. 10.1126/science.aau139710.1126/science.aau1397 ↗
2. Ritchie H. · Population Growth · 2023
3. 10.3390/su1212507810.3390/su12125078 ↗
4. 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e0123210.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01232 ↗
5. 10.1525/bio.2011.61.1.710.1525/bio.2011.61.1.7 ↗
6. Ritchie H. · Energy Prod. Consumption · 2024
7. 10.1109/ACCESS.2019.290640210.1109/ACCESS.2019.2906402 ↗
8. 10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.00210.1016/j.rser.2011.07.002 ↗
9. Saleh A. M. · Int. J. Energy Econ. Policy · 2014 · 4 · 26
10. 10.1186/s13705-016-0082-z10.1186/s13705-016-0082-z ↗
11. Saracoglu N. · Energy Sources, Pt. A: Recov., Utiliz., Environ. Effects · 2009 · 31 · 170810.1080/15567030802459677 ↗
12. 10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.11.00110.1016/j.jenvp.2015.11.001 ↗
13. 10.3390/su7101394710.3390/su71013947 ↗
14. 10.1016/j.solmat.2013.08.01510.1016/j.solmat.2013.08.015 ↗
15. 10.1016/j.renene.2018.01.02010.1016/j.renene.2018.01.020 ↗
16. H.Ritchie P.Rosado M.Roser(2023) Primary energy consumption from fossil fuels nuclear and renewables Published online at OurWorldinData.org. Retrieved from: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/sub‐energy‐fossil‐renewables‐nuclear?tab=table.
17. Ritchie H. · Energy · 2024
18. 10.1016/j.solener.2018.07.06110.1016/j.solener.2018.07.061 ↗
19. 10.1016/j.energy.2015.07.03310.1016/j.energy.2015.07.033 ↗
20. Salud O. M. · 2021
21. Federal S. · 2004
22. Junges A. L. · Experiências em Ensino de Ciências · 2018 · 13 · 126
23. 10.4135/978141296389310.4135/9781412963893 ↗
24. 10.1002/ird.259710.1002/ird.2597 ↗
25. Goody R. M. · 1972
26. Kaufman D. G. · 2000
27. 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.12.02810.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.12.028 ↗
28. 10.1038/s41558-019-0659-610.1038/s41558-019-0659-6 ↗
29. 10.1038/s41558-019-0591-910.1038/s41558-019-0591-9 ↗
30. Ritchie H. · Per capita CO₂ emissions · 2024
31. 10.1016/j.jece.2018.08.06510.1016/j.jece.2018.08.065 ↗
32. Ritchie H. · Greenhouse gas emissions by gas · 2024
33. UN · Paris agreement · 2015
34. 10.1007/s10311-020-01059-w10.1007/s10311-020-01059-w ↗
35. World Meteorological Organization Proceedings of the World Climate Conference: A Conference of Experts on Climate and Mankind Geneva 12–23 February 1979 Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization Geneva 1979.
36. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.What is the Kyoto Protocol? https://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol(accessed: January 2025).
37. IPCC · 2018
38. 10.1038/s41558-025-02246-910.1038/s41558-025-02246-9 ↗
39. 10.1016/j.apsadv.2023.10039510.1016/j.apsadv.2023.100395 ↗
40. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.13393210.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133932 ↗
41. 10.1016/S0165-9936(03)01105-110.1016/S0165-9936(03)01105-1 ↗
42. 10.1016/j.ceja.2022.10024510.1016/j.ceja.2022.100245 ↗
43. 10.3390/su14171109810.3390/su141711098 ↗
44. 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2006.08.00210.1016/j.mrgentox.2006.08.002 ↗
45. 10.3390/separations1004023010.3390/separations10040230 ↗
46. 10.3390/membranes1411023910.3390/membranes14110239 ↗
47. 10.3389/fenvs.2022.87349910.3389/fenvs.2022.873499 ↗
48. 10.1038/s41545-019-0039-910.1038/s41545-019-0039-9 ↗
49. 10.1016/j.cej.2021.13157910.1016/j.cej.2021.131579 ↗
50. 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b0048210.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00482 ↗
51. 10.1021/acscatal.3c0566910.1021/acscatal.3c05669 ↗
52. Gent A. E. A. · Methanol production · 1976
53. Guil‐López R. · Materials · 2019 · 12
54. Savy M. · Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires Des Seances De L Academie Des Sciences Serie C · 1968 · 267 · 863
55. IN B. · USSR · 1968 · 42 · 1036
56. 10.1016/1010-6030(92)85112-810.1016/1010-6030(92)85112-8 ↗
57. 10.1246/cl.1986.89710.1246/cl.1986.897 ↗
58. 10.1246/cl.1985.169510.1246/cl.1985.1695 ↗
59. 10.1246/bcsj.64.12310.1246/bcsj.64.123 ↗
60. 10.1016/0038-092X(94)90480-410.1016/0038-092X(94)90480-4 ↗
61. 10.1021/ja101318k10.1021/ja101318k ↗
62. 10.1016/j.susmat.2020.e0020010.1016/j.susmat.2020.e00200 ↗
63. 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b0070510.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00705 ↗
64. 10.1016/j.coelec.2020.05.01410.1016/j.coelec.2020.05.014 ↗
65. 10.1039/C6RA14995B10.1039/C6RA14995B ↗
66. 10.1002/anie.20180764710.1002/anie.201807647 ↗
67. 10.1002/adma.20190839810.1002/adma.201908398 ↗
68. 10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.15397310.1016/j.apsusc.2022.153973 ↗
69. 10.1021/acsnano.1c0396110.1021/acsnano.1c03961 ↗
70. 10.1073/pnas.230732012010.1073/pnas.2307320120 ↗
71. 10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.15783210.1016/j.apsusc.2023.157832 ↗
72. 10.1038/s41598-018-36683-810.1038/s41598-018-36683-8 ↗
73. 10.1016/j.cej.2021.13270910.1016/j.cej.2021.132709 ↗
74. 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.04.04910.1016/j.jmst.2023.04.049 ↗
75. 10.1016/j.jece.2022.10729110.1016/j.jece.2022.107291 ↗
76. 10.1002/adma.20200814510.1002/adma.202008145 ↗
77. 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.07.16910.1016/j.matpr.2021.07.169 ↗
78. 10.1002/cctc.20230110810.1002/cctc.202301108 ↗
79. 10.1039/D0EE02397C10.1039/D0EE02397C ↗
80. 10.1002/anie.20241945610.1002/anie.202419456 ↗
81. 10.1038/s41586-025-08784-810.1038/s41586-025-08784-8 ↗
82. 10.1002/smll.20240479810.1002/smll.202404798 ↗
83. 10.1039/D1GC04400A10.1039/D1GC04400A ↗
84. 10.1016/j.powtec.2014.09.02710.1016/j.powtec.2014.09.027 ↗
85. 10.1016/S1003-6326(11)61149-710.1016/S1003-6326(11)61149-7 ↗
86. 10.1002/anie.20110553910.1002/anie.201105539 ↗
87. 10.1039/c0gc00772b10.1039/c0gc00772b ↗
88. 10.1134/S107036321006014910.1134/S1070363210060149 ↗
89. 10.1002/chem.20100035410.1002/chem.201000354 ↗
90. 10.1016/j.matlet.2007.03.01410.1016/j.matlet.2007.03.014 ↗
91. 10.1016/j.apt.2014.01.02410.1016/j.apt.2014.01.024 ↗
92. 10.1016/j.cej.2020.12664310.1016/j.cej.2020.126643 ↗
93. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.02.01210.1016/j.apcatb.2019.02.012 ↗
94. 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.12210.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.122 ↗
95. 10.1021/acsami.5b0340110.1021/acsami.5b03401 ↗
96. 10.1021/acs.est.5b0006610.1021/acs.est.5b00066 ↗
97. 10.1039/c1nr10456j10.1039/c1nr10456j ↗
98. 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.08.04010.1016/j.nanoen.2018.08.040 ↗
99. 10.1039/c2jm33325b10.1039/c2jm33325b ↗
100. 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.01.05110.1016/j.apcatb.2017.01.051 ↗