Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction: Mechanisms and Challenges

This lecture explores the advances and challenges in understanding the electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels. Topics include theory of multi-electron transfer reactions, proton-coupled electron transfer, pH dependence, and electrode morphology. The lecture delves into the complex mechanisms involved in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, highlighting the importance of cations and the selectivity to formic acid. Various pathways for C-C bond formation and the role of different metals in the process are also discussed.