With the growth of the global economy, the demand for energy is continuously increasing, which in turn has driven the development and utilization of energy resources. This trend has inevitably led to a steady rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To effectivelyaddress this environmental challenge, the technology of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR) has emerged and quickly become a focalpoint in scientific research. This technology not only has the potential to convert CO2 into fuels and chemicals but also contributes to thestorage of renewable energy. Among various catalysts, copper-based catalysts have attracted attention for their ability to efficiently convertCO2 directly into high-value multi-carbon chemicals, such as ethylene and ethanol. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in the optimization and design of copper-based CO2RR catalysts, primarily focusing on enhancing catalytic activity, selectivity, andstability. An overview of the recent progress in the research on optimization strategies for copper-based CO2 RR catalysts was provided.Representative strategies were discussed such as crystal facet engineering, alloying treatments, modulation of copper oxidation states, catalyst surface functionalization, and defect engineering, examining how these approaches influence catalytic performance by tuning core parameters like composition, microstructure, morphology, and size, which collectively exerted a synergistic effect on the catalyst performance. Finally, the future prospects of electrocatalytic CO2RR technology was look forward and the current challenges faced was analyzed.

郑逸群(1987—),男,安徽芜湖人,副教授,博士。E-mail:yzheng@jnxy.edu.cn

--

ZHENG Yiqun,LI Dun,MIN Yuanyuan,et al.Design strategies for copper-based catalysts in electrochemical reductionof carbon dioxide[J].Clean Coal Technology,2024,30(4):41-57.