Carbon-Based Materials for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to C2+ Oxygenates: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to multicarbon (C2+) products is desirable because of the higher energy density and economic value of C2+ products and the significant scientific issue for coupling of multicarbons. However, efficient conversion of CO2 into C2+ products remains challenging because of the difficulty in C–C coupling. Recently, numerous papers have reported carbon-based materials for C2+ products production from CO2 electrochemical reduction. Because of the unique properties of carbon-based materials in C2+ production, carbon-based materials can be used as a potential alternative for the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2. This Review summarized recent progresses in the formation of C2+ oxygenates from CO2 reduction on carbon-based materials. In this Review, we highlighted the strategies available for achieving C–C coupling on carbon-based electrocatalysts and revealed the relationships between intermediate adsorption energy and the selectivity of oxygenate production from CO2 reduction. Moreover, we provided the understandings for fabricating active sites of CO2 reduction on carbon-based materials and related mechanisms of C2+ oxygenate generation. The remaining challenges and opportunities for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into C2+ oxygenates were discussed.