Doping and defect engineering in carbon-based electrocatalysts for enhanced electrochemical CO2 reduction: From 0D to 3D materials
Journal
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
Journal Volume
339
Start Page
103429
ISSN
0001-8686
Date Issued
2025-05
Author(s)
Abstract
The increasing atmospheric CO2 levels and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions have driven research into electrochemical CO2 reduction. Carbon-based materials have received significant attention for their potential as electrocatalysts, yet their inert nature often limits their performance. Defect engineering and heteroatom doping have emerged as transformative approaches to overcome these limitations, enhancing both catalytic activity and Faradaic efficiency. This review systematically examines the role of these strategies across diverse carbon materials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon dots, and boron-doped diamond. Special attention is given to the incorporation of heteroatoms, such as nitrogen and boron, and the modulation of defect structures to optimize CO2 reduction pathways. By exploring the interplay between dopant type, defect density, and material dimensionality, we provide a comprehensive understanding of how tailored carbon-based electrocatalysts can drive advancements in sustainable electrochemical CO2 conversion. This work underscores the potential of defect-engineered and doped carbon materials to revolutionize the field of electrocatalysis, paving the way for innovative solutions to environmental and energy challenges.
Subjects
CO2 reduction
Defect
Doping
Electrocatalyst
Faradaic efficiency
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article