sp²/sp³-Hybridized nitrogen-mediated electrochemical CO₂ capture and utilization.

Abstract

Electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and utilization, powered by renewable energy, are essential to achieving net-zero emissions and CO₂ valorization. While remarkable progress has been made in catalysts, solution design, and system engineering, recent breakthroughs reveal that nitrogen-containing molecules-specifically sp²-hybridized structures (e.g., pyridine) and sp³-hybridized moieties (e.g., ethanolamine) -hold untapped potential to revolutionize both CO₂ capture and conversion. These structures have been demonstrated as the Holy Grail in facilitating CO₂ activation, stabilizing key intermediates, and streamlining reaction pathways-capabilities rarely achievable with conventional strategies. However, limited mechanistic understanding of their physicochemical properties and interactions with CO₂ hampers broader application. This review highlights recent advances in leveraging sp²/sp³-hybridized nitrogen structures, unpacks their molecular roles in electrochemical CO₂ management, and offers a unifying framework for their dual-functionality across capture and conversion. By illuminating these nitrogen-based motifs, we uncover practical design principles and open avenues for integrating expanded N-containing compounds into energy technologies-paving the way for next-generation carbon management strategies.