Positive Valent Metal Sites in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Reaction

An introduction to catalysts with positive valent metal sites aiding in CO₂ reduction reactions. Conceptual understanding of the activity and stability of these catalysts are further discussed.

Abstract

The discovery of high-performance catalysts for the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) has faced an enormous challenge for years. The lack of cognition about the surface active structures or centers of catalysts in complex conditions limits the development of advanced catalysts for CO₂RR. Recently, the positive valent metal sites (PVMS) are demonstrated as a kind of potential active sites, which can facilitate carbon dioxide (CO₂) activation and conversation but are always unstable under reduction potentials. Many advanced technologies in theory and experiment have been utilized to understand and develop excellent catalysts with PVMS for CO₂RR. Here, we present an introduction of some typical catalysts with PVMS in CO₂RR and give some understanding of the activity and stability for these related catalysts.