Review of electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 on carbon supported films.

Carbon capture and conversion are becoming increasingly important as atmospheric CO 2 concentrations rise and their adverse effects become increasingly evident. CO 2 conversion/utilization-related research has gained renewed interest on a variety of platforms, including thermal, solar, biological, photochemical, and electrochemical conversions. Electrochemical routes, using suitable catalysts, are potentially suitable for commercial purposes owing to ease of integration with solvent-based carbon capture processes. This paper summarizes and evaluates the studies conducted within the past decade regarding the feasibility of carbon-based supports utilized in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction. CO 2 conversion has been reviewed in a number of reports, focusing on specific sections, such as metallic/bimetallic catalysts, CO 2 solubility, and the fabrication of electrodes and electrochemical cells. The number of publications addressing various carbon-based electrocatalysts is increasing, but these materials have not yet been reviewed. Herein, we are focused on three types of electrocatalyst materials: metals, metal-oxides, non-oxides, and combinations thereof with carbon. The scope of this study includes the following: i) carbon-based materials and how they are characterized by distinctive properties, ii) electrocatalytic CO 2 conversion techniques, and iii) research cases for carbon allotrope-supported composites used in CO 2 reduction. The advancement in analytical tools that provide insight into liquid-phase reactions will benefit the development of catalysts and electrodes that will be effective in converting CO 2 into the desired products. Such developments will also be applicable to other systems involving liquid electrolytes or solvents for performing reactions on catalyst surfaces. • A comprehensive review of carbon-based electrocatalysts for CO 2 conversion. • High conductivity of carbon-based materials is suited for superior charge transfer. • Their large surface areas helps in dispersing and stabilizing active sites. • Transition metal oxides provide a large distribution of products in CO 2 reduction. • Catalysts composition and structure govern CO 2 activity and product distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]