Nanoporous carbons for the electrochemical reduction of CO2: Challenges to discriminate the roles of nanopore confinement and functionalization

Alicia Gomis-Berenguer (1) , Elhassan Amaterz (2) , Sebastian Torres (1) , Jesús Iniesta (1) , Conchi Maria Concepcion Ovin Ania (2)

1 Universidad de Alicante
2 CEMHTI - Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux : Haute Température et Irradiation

The use of porous carbons in the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 (CO2ER) has become an active research area. Despite good faradaic efficiencies and production rates, understanding their electrocatalytic activity is challenging owing to the complexity of the CO 2-nanoporous carbon interactions. In this opinion review, we emphasize on the critical importance of discriminating the impacts of nanopore confinement and surface functionalization of porous carbons on the CO2ER. We have performed a rational analysis of recent literature addressing this topic, comparing electrocatalytic performance with knowledge about CO 2-porous carbon affinity. Reported data has been re-discussed focusing on a complete characterization of the carbon electrodes to correlate physicochemical characteristics and the electrocatalytic activity. A perspective view is provided for future directions on the use of porous carbons in the CO2ER.

Mots clés: nanoporous carbons nanoconfinement metal-free electrocatalysts surface functionalization; nanoporous carbons; nanoconfinement; metal-free electrocatalysts; surface functionalization

Domaines: Chimie; Sciences de l'environnement

Alicia Gomis-Berenguer, Elhassan Amaterz, Sebastian Torres, Jesús Iniesta, Conchi Maria Concepcion Ovin Ania. Nanoporous carbons for the electrochemical reduction of CO2: Challenges to discriminate the roles of nanopore confinement and functionalization. Current Opinion in Electrochemistry, 2023, 40, pp.101323. ⟨10.1016/j.coelec.2023.101323⟩. ⟨hal-04299490⟩