Nanostructure Engineering of Sn-Based Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Excessive anthropogenic CO2 emission has caused a series of ecological and environmental issues, which threatens mankind's sustainable development. Mimicking the natural photosynthesis process (i.e., artificial photosynthesis) by electrochemically converting CO2 into value-added products is a promising way to alleviate CO2 emission and relieve the dependence on fossil fuels. Recently, Sn-based catalysts have attracted increasing research attentions due to the merits of low price, abundance, non-toxicity, and environmental benignancy. In this review, the paradigm of nanostructure engineering for efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECO2R) on Sn-based catalysts is systematically summarized. First, the nanostructure engineering of size, composition, atomic structure, morphology, defect, surficial modification, catalyst/substrate interface, and single-atom structure, are systematically discussed. The influence of nanostructure engineering on the electronic structure and adsorption property of intermediates, as well as the performance of Sn-based catalysts for ECO2R are highlighted. Second, the potential chemical state changes and the role of surface hydroxides on Sn-based catalysts during ECO2R are introduced. Third, the challenges and opportunities of Sn-based catalysts for ECO2R are proposed. It is expected that this review inspires the further development of highly efficient Sn-based catalysts, meanwhile offer protocols for the investigation of Sn-based catalysts.