Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction on cost-effective oxide-derived copper and transition metal–nitrogen–carbon catalysts

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) either to generate multicarbon (C2+) or single carbon (C1) value-added products provides an effective and promising approach to mitigate the high CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and promote energy storage. However, cost-effectiveness of catalytic materials limits practical application of this technology in the short term. Herein, we summarize and discuss recent and advanced works on cost-effective oxide-derived copper catalysts for the generation of C2+ products (hydrocarbons and alcohols) and transition metal–nitrogen–doped carbon electrocatalytic materials for C1 compounds production from CO2RR. We think they represent suitable electrocatalyst candidates for scaling up electrochemical CO2 conversion. This short review may provide inspiration for the future design and development of innovative active, cost-effective, selective and stable electrocatalysts with improved properties for either the production of C2+ (alcohols, hydrocarbons) or carbon monoxide from CO2RR.