Recent Advances in Electrochemical CO₂-to-Multicarbon Conversion: From Fundamentals to Industrialization

The electrochemical CO2 (eCO(2))-to-multicarbon conversion with higher value is regarded as a potential way to promote the transformation of industrial production and the green balance of carbon cycle. Recently, a series of advances have been achieved in the progress of eCO(2)-to-multicarbon conversion, including the in-depth exploration of coupling mechanisms, the up-to-date development of characterization techniques, and the novel interdisciplinary design strategies of catalysts and electrolytic systems. Therefore, it is essential to systematically overview the eCO(2)-to-multicarbon conversion from fundamentals to industrialization, compensating for the limited and insufficient reviews that have been reported. To fill the aforementioned research gap, this overview is focused on the eCO(2)-to-multicarbon conversion from fundamentals to industrialization. First, the possible catalytic mechanisms for eCO(2)-to-multicarbon conversion are accordingly summarized in the order of eCO(2) reduction, small molecule-coupled eCO2 reduction, and eCO(2) tandem conversion. Second, the up-to-date in situ characterization technologies assisting the rationalization of coupling mechanisms are presented. Third, the optimizing strategies of catalysts and electrolytic systems are briefly classified for the advance of industrialization process. Finally, challenges and perspectives for the further development of eCO(2)-to-multicarbon conversion are reasonably proposed, aiming to offer insights for the following work in this field.