Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Ethylene: From Mechanistic Understanding to Catalyst Surface Engineering

Abstract

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) provides a promising way to convert CO₂ to chemicals. The multicarbon (C₂₊) products, especially ethylene, are of great interest due to their versatile industrial applications. However, selectively reducing CO₂ to ethylene is still challenging as the additional energy required for the C–C coupling step results in large overpotential and many competing products. Nonetheless, mechanistic understanding of the key steps and preferred reaction pathways/conditions, as well as rational design of novel catalysts for ethylene production have been regarded as promising approaches to achieving the highly efficient and selective CO₂RR. In this review, we first illustrate the key steps for CO₂RR to ethylene (e.g., CO₂ adsorption/activation, formation of *CO intermediate, C–C coupling step), offering mechanistic understanding of CO₂RR conversion to ethylene. Then the alternative reaction pathways and conditions for the formation of ethylene and competitive products (C₁ and other C₂₊ products) are investigated, guiding the further design and development of preferred conditions for ethylene generation. Engineering strategies of Cu-based catalysts for CO₂RR-ethylene are further summarized, and the correlations of reaction mechanism/pathways, engineering strategies and selectivity are elaborated. Finally, major challenges and perspectives in the research area of CO₂RR are proposed for future development and practical applications.