Regulating Organic Modifiers on Metal-Based Catalysts for Enhanced Electrocatalytic CO Reduction.

Electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) has been proved as a promising pathway for valuable chemical production and sustainable carbon cycling. Various regulatory strategies have been explored to boost CORR performance. Among these, metal-based electrocatalytic CORR systems regulated by organic modifiers have been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating the complex catalytic processes. Herein, we provide an overview of the recent effective research for regulating the organic modifiers on metal-based catalyst to enhance CORR performance. Two main fundamental mechanisms of enhanced CORR with organic modifiers are discussed, including controlling the local microenvironment (local concentration of reactant/intermediate, local pH, interface electric field) at the electrode surface and modulating intrinsic catalytic activity (crystal and electronic structure). Moreover, effective strategies to preserve a stable organic modifier/catalysts interface are also reviewed. Finally, the challenges and prospects faced by organic modifiers regulated metal-based catalysts in CORR are proposed. We hope this review will provide a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the actual impacts of organic modifiers on the development of efficient CORR catalysts with favorable activity, selectivity, and stability.