Electrochemical CO2 conversion to C1 and C2 products on defective metal electrocatalysts

Electrocatalysts are essential in enhancing the kinetics of electrochemical CO 2 reduction reactions (CO 2 RR). Engineering the surface characteristics and electronic structures of electrocatalysts presents a viable strategy for enhancing electrocatalytic efficacy. Incorporation of defects into metal-based materials to improve their performance in CO 2 RR has garnered significant interest in the past decades. This paper encapsulates the latest advancements in metal defect electrocatalysts pertinent to the electrosynthesis of C 1 and C 2 products from CO 2 RR. Here, the foundational principles and obstacles associated with CO 2 RR are emphasized, including issues such as lower CO 2 solubility, larger overpotential, low efficiency, unclear mechanisms, and concerns surrounding electrocatalyst stability. This is followed by insight into reaction mechanisms for both C 1 and C 2 products from CO 2 RR. The study indicates the importance of defects, which provide an exceptional method due to the practicality of generating electrocatalysts with variable structures and compositions for various derivatives featuring intricate architectures, showcasing distinct advantages and considerable potential in CO 2 RR. The structural-performance relationships of the electrocatalyst, a core to electrocatalysis, were discussed. The applications of various defects, including vacancies, grain boundaries, and lattice defects, were highlighted. A thorough and cutting-edge examination of defective metal electrocatalysts, particularly concerning C 1 and C 2 , is notably limited. Consequently, this study provides an in-depth examination of metal vacancy electrocatalysts, grain boundary electrocatalysts, and lattice defect electrocatalysts for the electrosynthesis of C 1 and C 2 products from CO 2 RR, thereby enhancing the understanding of the current research developments. In conclusion, strengths and weaknesses in this field were examined, accompanied by a future prognosis. This study should spark significant interest among researchers in advancing the enhancement of defective metal-based materials for C 1 , C 2 , and other higher products. • Engineering the surface characteristics and electronic structures of electrocatalysts is a viable strategy to enhance catalytic efficiency. • Incorporation of defects into metal-based materials improves their performance for electrosynthesis of C 1 and C 2 products from CO 2 RR. • Foundational principles, obstacles associated with CO 2 RR and insight into reaction mechanisms for C 1 and C 2 products were discussed. • Structural-performance relationships, and applications of various defectsfor CO 2 RR were discussed. • Strengths and weaknesses in this field were examined, accompanied by future outlooks to the advance CO 2 RR to C 1 and C 2 products.