https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-78003-z

https://www.cas.cn/syky/202609/t20260922_5120829.shtml

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) utilizes electrical energy to convert CO2 into chemical products and fuels, serving as a crucial technological pathway for promoting the carbon cycle and storing green electricity. Copper-based catalysts are widely used in CO2RR; however, under actual electrolysis conditions, they inevitably undergo structural, morphological, and compositional reconstruction. This evolution makes their catalytic activity, selectivity, and long-term stability difficult to predict.

A research team at the CAS Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences has long focused on the construction of CO2RR catalyst systems, the regulation of product pathways, and the study of structure-activity relationships. Recently, the team established a standardized research protocol aimed at transforming the “side effects” caused by catalyst reconstruction—previously viewed passively—into active “regulatory tools.” By implementing a workflow of “reconstruction identification—mechanism understanding—active intervention,” the team actively guides copper active components into a target active state. This approach offers a new methodology for copper-based CO2 electroreduction and dynamic electrocatalysis research in general, advancing catalyst design concepts.

Graph: Experimental control workflow for Cu-based electrocatalytic CO2 reduction: “reconstruction identification—mechanism understanding—active intervention”