Zhou Xiaoxia, Li Guohui, Zhang Chenghong, Cui XiangZhi
School of Energy and Materials, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai, 201209, China.
School of Science, Qiongtai Normal University, Haikou, 571127, China.
ChemSusChem. 2025 Jul 27;18(15):e202500155. doi: 10.1002/cssc.202500155. Epub 2025 Jun 23.
The electrochemical CO reduction reaction (eCORR) has emerged as a pivotal technology for addressing global climate challenges by converting CO into value-added chemicals, thereby contributing to carbon neutrality efforts. Metal nanoclusters, characterized by their atomically precise structures and unique electronic properties, have gained significant attention as highly tunable catalysts for eCORR due to their exceptional activity and selectivity. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in metal nanoclusters for CO conversion. First, the fundamental reaction mechanisms and pathways governing the formation of key products such as CO, formic acid, and hydrocarbons are elucidated. Next, the catalysts involved in eCORR, including noble metal (e.g., Au, Ag) and non-noble metal (e.g., Cu, Ni) clusters are summarized, and the latest technical strategies for enhancing CO reduction efficiency, such as alloying, ligand engineering, defect engineering, and heteroatom doping are presented. Finally, the challenges of metal nanoclusters in eCORR are discussed and future research directions and development prospects are outlined. This review puts forward the cutting-edge design strategy of atomic-level precise metal nanocluster catalysts in eCORR, which not only deepens the understanding of the basic science of electrocatalysis but also provides a feasible technical roadmap for realizing a sustainable CO circular economy.
电化学CO还原反应（eCORR）已成为一项关键技术，通过将CO转化为高附加值化学品来应对全球气候挑战，从而为碳中和努力做出贡献。金属纳米团簇具有原子精确结构和独特电子性质，因其卓越的活性和选择性，作为eCORR的高度可调催化剂受到了广泛关注。本文综述系统总结了金属纳米团簇用于CO转化的最新进展。首先，阐明了控制关键产物如CO、甲酸和碳氢化合物形成的基本反应机制和途径。其次，总结了参与eCORR的催化剂，包括贵金属（如Au、Ag）和非贵金属（如Cu、Ni）团簇，并介绍了提高CO还原效率的最新技术策略，如合金化、配体工程、缺陷工程和杂原子掺杂。最后，讨论了金属纳米团簇在eCORR中的挑战，并概述了未来的研究方向和发展前景。本文综述提出了eCORR中原子级精确金属纳米团簇催化剂的前沿设计策略，不仅加深了对电催化基础科学的理解，也为实现可持续的CO循环经济提供了可行的技术路线图。
