Recent progress on nickel phthalocyanine-based electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction

Abstract

The electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to high-value fuels by renewable electricity is a sustainable strategy, which can substitute for fossil fuels and circumvent climate changes induced by elevated CO2 emission levels, making the rational design of versatile electrocatalysts highly desirable. Among all the electrocatalytic materials used in the CO2 reduction reaction, nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc)-based electrocatalysts have attracted considerable attention recently because of their high CO selectivity and catalytic activity. Herein, we review the latest advances in CO2 electroreduction to CO catalyzed by immobilized NiPc and its derivatives on diverse surfaces. Specific strategies, the structure–performance relationship and the CO2-to-CO reaction mechanism of these NiPc-based electrocatalysts are analyzed. Future opportunities and challenges for this series of powerful heterogeneous electrocatalysts are also highlighted.