Plasmonic Nanomaterials as Catalysts for CO₂ Electroreduction

Rising CO2 levels and their negative impact on the environment and humans have propelled the development of carbon conversion processes such as the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2ER). Some of the key challenges with this process include high overpotentials, product selectivity, and catalyst stability. Recently, plasmon-enhanced electrocatalysis has gained more attention because it can accelerate reaction rates and product selectivity through the use of light and plasmonic nanomaterials. This Review highlights recent advances in plasmon-enhanced CO2ER on Au-, Ag-, and Cu-based single-metal catalysts, as well as plasmonic multi-metal catalysts. It covers experimental techniques used to elucidate plasmon-enhanced mechanisms and performance, along with in situ and computational techniques that unravel reaction mechanisms and provide a better understanding of the process. The Review ends with an outlook of this process and ways to improve it and make it more practical and relevant to the industry.