Polymer-Covered Copper Catalysts Alter the Reaction Pathway of the Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Reaction

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has attracted considerable attention recently due to the potential conversion of atmospheric CO2 into useful organic products by utilizing electricity from renewable energy sources. However, the selective formation of desired products only via CO2RR has been elusive due to the presence of a myriad of competing reaction pathways, thus calling for effective strategies controlling the reaction coordinates. The control of binding energies of the reaction intermediate, such as *CO, is pivotal to manipulating reaction pathways, and various attempts have been made to accomplish this goal. Herein, we introduce recent endeavors to increase the catalytic selectivity of Cu-based catalysts by surface modification with polymer coating, which can change the local pH, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, reaction concentration, etc. The polymer conjugation also contributed to the enhanced electrocatalytic stability of Cu-based catalysts during the CO2RR. We also point to the remaining challenges and provide perspectives on the further development of Cu–polymer hybrid catalysts for the practical CO2RR.