设计双功能电催化剂以提高电化学二氧化碳还原反应的电解池能量效率

Designing bifunctional electrocatalysts for improving cell energy efficiency of electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction

电化学二氧化碳还原反应(eCO_(2)RR)因其在实现碳中和方面的巨大潜力而受到广泛关注,目前科研人员也致力于开发高效的eCO_(2)RR催化剂.然而,作为电解池关键组成部分的阳极反应却常常被忽视.电解池的能量效率和催化产物的价值在很大程度上取决于阴极和阳极的总槽电压.遗憾的是,大多数关于eCO_(2)RR和阳极反应双功能催化剂的研究报告显示,其电流密度普遍较低,远未达到商业应用的要求.近年来,在催化剂中整合氧化和还原位点的策略被证明是提高eCO_(2)RR电解池的总能量效率的可行方法.本文基于这种策略的部分代表性研究进行了阐述,并探讨了未来研究的潜在机遇.

Electrochemical CO_(2) reduction reaction(eCO_(2)RR)is increasingly recognized as one of the most attractive strategies for achieving carbon neutrality.Consequently,a plethora of research has been devoted to developing efficient catalysts for eCO_(2)RR.However,the anodic reaction,a crucial component of the electrolytic cell,is often overlooked.The cell energy efficiency and the value of the catalytic products depend fundamentally on the combined overpotentials of both the cathode and anode.Unfortunately,most reports on bifunctional catalysts for the eCO_(2)RR and anodic reaction show very low current densities,far from what is required for commercial applications.Recently,integrating oxidation and reduction sites into a catalyst has been proven to be a feasible strategy for improving cell energy efficiency of electrochemical CO_(2) reduction reaction.This article reviews some representative recent reports relevant to the above strategy and discusses potential opportunities for future research.