Toward Scalable CO2 Electroreduction: Critical Evaluation of Cu-Based Catalysts and Large-Area Electrode Manufacturing

Quispe-Herrera R.; Villasante-Herrera C.-L.; Corrales A.G.; Paredes-Valverde Y.; Huamán-Romaní Y.-L. · Electrocatalysis (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/s12678-026-01041-0

Resumen

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) into multi-carbon (C2+) products is emerging as a promising pathway for sustainable fuel and chemical synthesis. Copper (Cu)-based catalysts remain uniquely capable of facilitating C–C coupling due to their favorable binding with key CO2RR intermediates. Recent advances in catalyst design—encompassing surface engineering, molecular modifiers, doping and alloying strategies, and tandem catalyst architectures—have substantially enhanced C2+ selectivity under laboratory conditions. However, translating these gains into large-area electrodes suitable for industrial operation remains a major bottleneck. Challenges include scalable catalyst synthesis, maintaining structural stability under high current densities, and developing reliable fabrication methods for uniform, high-performance electrodes. This mini review summarizes recent progress in Cu-based CO2RR catalyst development, a holistic overview of the electrolyzer configurations and examines the key limitations hindering scale-up in both synthesis and electrode manufacturing, and discusses potential solutions informed by mature electrochemical technologies. Overcoming these challenges will be essential to bridge the gap between laboratory advancements and commercial deployment, enabling the large-scale production of low-carbon fuels and chemicals from CO2. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios