Strategies for Improving Product Selectivity in Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction Using Copper-Based Catalysts

As an effective approach to converting carbon oxide (CO₂) into value-added carbonaceous products, the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (ECO₂RR) has shown considerable potential for carbon neutrality, addressing global pollution and climate issues. Copper (Cu)-based electrocatalysts (CuECs) are acknowledged as important candidates for the ECO₂RR of multi-carbon products. Nevertheless, the complicated electron transfer and multiple competitive pathways in the multi-carbon production process raise challenges of product selectivity. While achieving high current density and structural stability, improving the product selectivity of CuECs has become crucial to their practical applications. Herein, an overview of the fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic principles of ECO₂RR are presented. Then, the typical strategies are summarized for increasing CuEC selectivity for the formation of multi-carbon products from CO₂, including morphological control, component design, defect design, and interface design. The catalyst design, catalytic performance, and reaction mechanisms involved in these strategies are reviewed. Finally, the major challenges and future prospects for high-performance electrocatalysts in ECO₂RR are discussed.