Synthesis and Application of Copper‐Based Nanostructured Catalysts in Carbon Dioxide Reduction

The continuous increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the atmosphere is a wake‐up call for global environmental problems. In recent years, more and more electrochemical, photochemical, thermochemical, and other means have been applied to the use of converting CO 2 into value‐added chemicals or fuels, leveraging the characteristics of material nanostructures to catalyze the reduction of CO 2 , reduce the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere, facilitate a balanced carbon‐neutral energy cycle, and generate renewable energy for human use. Among the options available, copper‐based materials have been established as the sole category capable of converting CO 2 into a variety of reduction products, including 16 hydrocarbons, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons, as well as widely used alcohols. This paper outlines various synthesis approaches for copper‐based nanostructured catalysts and explores their applications in the electrocatalytic, photocatalytic, and thermocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . Finally, it discusses the current challenges and summarizes potential solutions and strategies for the future advancement of CO 2 conversion technology.