# A Review of the Design and Synthesis of (Electro)chemically Induced Three-dimensional Nanoporous Copper: A Strategic Element for CO2 Electro-Reduction and Self-Sanitization Applications

## TL;DR

This review explores how creating nanoporous copper can improve its ability to convert CO2 into useful products and kill microbes.

## Contribution

The paper systematically reviews the design, synthesis, and functional enhancement of nanoporous copper for electrocatalysis and biocidal applications.

## Key findings

- Nanoporous copper shows enhanced electrocatalytic efficiency for CO2 reduction.
- Morphological manipulation significantly improves copper's self-sanitizing properties.
- Various chemical and electrochemical parameters influence nanopore size and structure.

## Abstract

The catalytic and
self-sanitizing properties of copper
(Cu) can
be significantly enhanced by inducing nanoporosity into the structure.
In this review, we first briefly introduce electrocatalysis and biocidal
applications of Cu, with the discussion on electrocatalysis geared
toward the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to value-added
fuels and chemicals. Second, the underlying mechanisms for the enhancement
of the electrocatalytic and biocidal properties by means of morphology
manipulation are discussed, followed by a review of chemical and electrochemical
techniques used to synthesize nanoporous Cu. Additionally, the parameters
that enable fine-tuning of the sizes and structures of the resulting
porosity are outlined, including the composition and crystal structure
of the precursors, along with electrochemical factors such as electrolyte,
applied overpotential, and treatment time. This review elucidates
the crucial role that the nanostructure of Cu plays in augmenting
the electrocatalytic efficiency and self-sterilizing attributes of
Cu. Moreover, it provides insights into and discusses the challenges
in designing advanced functional nanomaterials and synthesizing well-controlled
morphologies essential for sustainable electrocatalysis and antimicrobial
applications in diverse fields.