Heterogeneous electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction

Extensive CO₂ emissions from the processing of fossil fuels for energy generation have become a major contemporary challenge. An avenue to alleviate this problem is to electrochemically transform CO₂ to high-energy molecules. In this chapter, we discuss promising heterogeneous electrocatalysts for low and high temperature electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to valuable products, such as CO and hydrocarbons. Electrocatalyst size/composition/morphology effects on the activity, selectivity, and stability along with the proposed underlying mechanisms that govern low temperature electrochemical reduction of CO₂ on promising electrocatalytic materials are discussed. Similarly, the performance and challenges of promising cathode electrocatalysts (i.e., Ni, bimetals, and mixed oxides) for high-temperature electrochemical reduction of CO₂ using solid oxide electrolysis cells are evaluated. The chapter is concluded with a perspective on low- and high-temperature electrochemical reduction of CO₂ by means of heterogeneous electrocatalysis.