Laser-engineered electrocatalysts for CO2 and CO reduction: from surface modification to non-equilibrium catalyst design.

Laser processing has emerged as a versatile approach for engineering electrocatalyst surfaces and interfaces with exceptional spatial and temporal precision. Unlike conventional synthesis routes that largely access equilibrium structures, laser irradiation can generate non-equilibrium phases, defect-rich microstructures, and dynamically engineered interfaces through localized energy delivery and ultrafast quenching. These capabilities offer new opportunities for tailoring catalytic activity and selectivity in electrochemical CO2 and CO reduction. This review summarizes recent advances in laser-engineered electrocatalysts, with emphasis on the fundamental principles of laser-matter interactions and fabrication strategies including pulsed laser deposition, direct laser writing, and pulsed laser ablation in liquids. We discuss how laser parameters govern surface restructuring, oxidation-state modulation, defect formation, and interfacial engineering, enabling the creation of structured electrodes, oxide-metal interfaces, and surfactant-free nanomaterials. Representative catalyst systems are highlighted to illustrate the impact of laser-induced modifications on catalytic performance and reaction pathways. Although the application of laser processing in CO2 and CO electrocatalysis remains relatively underexplored, its ability to simultaneously control morphology, composition, and electronic structure positions it as a promising platform for next-generation catalyst design. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are discussed, including mechanistic understanding, operando characterization, parameter standardization, and scalable manufacturing. We anticipate that laser processing will evolve beyond a surface-modification tool toward a versatile platform for non-equilibrium electrocatalyst design and sustainable energy-conversion technologies.