Recent trends in CO2 reduction through various catalytic methods to achieve carbon-neutral goals: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis

Research Background

The escalating global energy crisis and severe environmental degradation, driven primarily by the extensive combustion of fossil fuels, have resulted in a significant and alarming increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations. This rise contributes significantly to global warming and climate change, posing one of the most substantial threats to human survival and sustainable development. Consequently, the conversion of CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels—known as the CO₂ Reduction Reaction (CO₂RR)—has become a pivotal strategy for achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating environmental pollution worldwide.

Research Content

While experimental research into CO₂RR is abundant, the field previously lacked a systematic, macroscopic analysis of its evolution, intellectual structure, and emerging trends.

To address this gap, researchers from Zhejiang Ocean University conducted a comprehensive scientometric and bibliometric analysis of the global academic literature on CO₂RR published between 2015 and 2023. The study specifically focused on three major catalytic pathways: electrocatalytic CO₂RR (e- CO₂RR), photocatalytic CO₂RR (p-CO₂RR), and thermocatalytic CO₂RR (t-CO₂RR). Utilizing advanced bibliometric analysis tools, including Citespace, Bibliometrix, and Vosviewer, the team mapped the key publication patterns, identified influential authors, institutions, and journals, and visualized the primary research themes and collaboration networks.

Research Results

The analysis revealed a rapidly accelerating pace of research, with the annual output of CO₂RR publications nearly tripling over the eight-year study period, underscoring its priority status in global science.

Key findings of the bibliometric analysis include:

• Dominant Sub-Fields: Electrocatalytic CO₂RR emerged as the largest and fastest-growing sub-field, reflecting a strong global emphasis on utilizing renewable electricity for carbon conversion. Photocatalytic CO₂RR also showed sustained, high growth.
• Key Research Hotspots: The primary thematic focus revolves around the rational design of high-performance catalysts, with an emphasis on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Single-Atom Catalysts (SACs) for their superior selectivity and tunability. Other prominent areas include enhancing multi-electron transfer efficiency and optimizing reactor configurations.
• Collaboration Structure: The analysis identified core research institutions and countries driving the innovation, while also highlighting the need for broader international collaboration across different technological domains.

Significance

This comprehensive bibliometric study provides the first systematic and macro-level roadmap for the CO₂RR research landscape. By clearly delineating the current intellectual structure, identifying high-impact research frontiers, and pinpointing emerging thematic clusters, the analysis offers invaluable guidance.

It is anticipated that these findings will help researchers, funding agencies, and policymakers strategically allocate resources, foster critical cross-disciplinary collaborations, and accelerate the development of the most promising technologies needed to efficiently convert waste CO₂ into essential products, ultimately contributing significantly to the global attainment of carbon-neutral goals.

The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Energy, Volume 19, Issue 4, pp 500–520 (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-025-0988-2 Authors: Xuxu Guo, Hangrang Zhang, Yang Su, Yingtang Zhou Institution: Zhejiang Ocean University.