The art of catalysis: Unveiling the secrets of CO2 and nitrogen molecule coupling to synthesize urea

•Urea holds significant importance in modern agriculture and industry. The review summarizes recent progress in the design and research of efficient electrocatalysts for urea synthesis.•It mainly focuses on the advancements in novel electrocatalysts with oxygen vacancies and surface synergistic effects, multi-metal alloys and heterostructures, heteroatom doping, and morphology control.•The review also discusses the reaction mechanisms (CN coupling reactions) and theoretical calculations related to urea synthesis. Urea, as a versatile chemical, holds significant importance in modern agriculture and industry. Traditional production methods are highly energy-intensive and have caused considerable environmental impact. However, with the advancement of renewable energy technologies and the promising prospects of a green economy, electrochemical synthesis of urea has been gaining much attention, which enables efficient and environmentally friendly production of urea by co-reducing nitrogen-containing small molecules and carbon dioxide under mild conditions. The review summarizes recent progress in the design and research of efficient electrocatalysts for urea synthesis. It mainly focuses on the advancements in novel electrocatalysts with oxygen vacancies and surface synergistic effects, multi-metal alloys and heterostructures, heteroatom doping, and morphology control. Additionally, the review discusses the reaction mechanisms (CN coupling reactions) and theoretical calculations related to urea synthesis. The aim is to inspire researchers to understand the underlying mechanisms and provide theoretical guidance and technical support for the development of highly selective and economically viable electrocatalysts in the future. Urea holds significant importance in modern agriculture and industry where traditional production methods are highly energy-intensive and have caused considerable environmental impact. Now the electrochemical synthesis of urea enables efficient and environmentally friendly production of urea by co-reducing nitrogen-containing small molecules and carbon dioxide under mild conditions. The review summarizes recent progress in the design and research of efficient electrocatalysts for urea synthesis. It mainly focuses on the advancements in novel electrocatalysts with oxygen vacancies and surface synergistic effects, multi-metal alloys and heterostructures, heteroatom doping, and morphology control. Additionally, the review discusses the reactio