Strain Effects in Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction

In this paper, the research progress of strain effects in ECO₂RR is reviewed. Starting from the mechanism of CO₂RR and the basic principle of lattice strain, how to evaluate and analyze it effectively through advanced characterization techniques is discussed in depth. The key effect of strain on the structure–activity relationship of CO₂RR is discussed. The strain effects of different kinds of catalysts are summarized, which provides a direction for future development.

Abstract

As a frontier method for adjusting the electronic and geometric configurations of metal sites, lattice strain engineering plays a key role in regulating the interaction between catalytic surface and adsorbed molecules. Here, the research progress of strain effects in electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction (CO₂RR) is reviewed. Starting from the basic principles of strain effects in the CO₂RR, the advanced in situ characterization techniques are summarized. The key effect of strain on the structure–activity relationship in CO₂RR is comprehensively discussed. Subsequently, the electrocatalysts with different properties rich in strain are classified, including core–shell structure catalysts, alloys, transition metal compounds, and single-atom catalysts. Finally, the obstacles encountered in the practical application of strain effect are proposed, and the future research direction of this emerging field is prospected.