Research on mechanism and catalysts of CO₂ electroreduction to formate

This paper reviews the latest progress in the field of CO₂ electrocatalytic reduction to formate in the past five years. The reaction mechanism of CO₂ electroreduction to formate and the types of catalysts used in this process are introduced, including metal catalysts, atomic dispersion catalysts, metal oxide catalysts, carbon materials, and composite material catalysts. The main factors affecting product selectivity, catalytic activity and stability are analyzed in detail from the perspectives of catalyst, electrolyte, reaction atmosphere and electrolytic cell. In view of the current research status of carbon dioxide electroreduction to formate, it is proposed to innovate on nanomaterials and composites, explore the active site and reaction path with the help of in-situ characterization technology, and guide the design and synthesis of efficient catalysts, improve the electrochemical reactor module to improve the catalytic efficiency and other issues can be regarded as the future research focus and development direction.