Recent advances in the electroreduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid over carbon-based materials

The electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) driven by renewable energy is an important route for CO2 conversion and utilization. Formic acid (HCOOH), as an important chemical and safe hydrogen storage material, is one of the main and promising materials for CO2 electroreduction. The physical and chemical properties of CO2 and the reaction mechanisms for its electroreduction to HCOOH are outlined and the recent development of carbon-based catalysts, including metal-free carbon catalysts and carbon-supported catalysts, for CO2 electroreduction to HCOOH is reviewed. The design of reactors for HCOOH production and strategies for their optimization are summarized and discussed. Hybrid CO2 electrolysis technology is analyzed, such as electroreduction coupled with the methanol electrooxidation reaction. Lastly, key challenges and development trends for CO2 electroreduction to HCOOH are presented, which are expected to provide guidance for the development of this technique.