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Electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into useful products can contribute to the Paris goals on the basis of abundant low-carbon power and technological advances. From R&D to policy, areas are highlighted in which coordinated efforts can support commercialization of such capture and catalytic technologies while deploying the required infrastructure.
Identifying the active sites in supported catalysts comprising isolated metal atoms and subnanometric clusters is challenging because of the difficulty in obtaining detailed structural information under reaction conditions. Here, we discuss the limitations and pitfalls that may be encountered and provide suggestions accordingly.
This Comment articulates simple metrics that can guide early catalysis research to make the manufacture of fuels and chemicals sustainable and affordable. These metrics cover resource efficiency (waste/CO2 production, selectivity) as well as conversion performances that look at different aspects of the process.