J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2025, Vol. 218: 108-125.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.07.054

• Review Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Perspectives of nickel-based catalysts in carbon dioxide electroreduction

Qing Liaoa, Yijian Songa, Weijie Lib, Duzheng Hea, Anqiang Pana,c, Chao Hana,*   

  1. aSchool of Materials Science and Technology, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;
    bPowder Metallurgy Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;
    cXinjiang Engineering Research Center of Environmental and Functional Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
  • Received:2024-05-07 Revised:2024-07-18 Accepted:2024-07-20 Published:2025-05-20 Online:2024-09-10
  • Contact: *E-mail address: chaohan@csu.edu.cn (C. Han).

Abstract: The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) can convert carbon dioxide into high-value chemical substances and fuels by utilizing renewable electricity, which can not only complete the carbon cycle but also effectively alleviate the problems of global warming and energy shortage. Nickel-based catalysts hold great promise and unbeatable merits for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide due to their excellent catalytic properties and activity. However, there were few review papers on the application of nickel-based catalysts in carbon dioxide electroreduction. This paper, therefore, presents the current status of research on nickel-based catalysts in carbon dioxide electroreduction categorized by different products. First, the advantages of CO2 electroreduction and nickel-based catalysts as well as the basic principles of CO2 electroreduction are presented; then the different types of nickel-based catalysts that can convert CO2 into different products are described in detail, including their syntheses, performances, and mechanisms. Finally, the common features of nickel-based catalysts towards different carbon dioxide electroreduction products, as well as the outlooks for the development of nickel-based catalysts will be summarized. It is highly expected that this review will help in the future research and development of nickel-based catalysts towards CO2 conversion.

Key words: CO2RR, Nickel-based catalysts, Carbon monoxide, Syngas, Formic acid, Multi-carbon product