Abstract

Copper – carbon catalysts have emerged as highly promising systems for sustainable chemical processes, particularly in the context of biomass conversion, where efficient, selective, and environmentally benign transformations are required. The synergistic interaction between copper species and carbon-based materials plays a central role in determining catalytic performance, as copper provides versatile active sites for redox reactions while carbon supports offer high surface area, tunable porosity, and enhanced electrical conductivity. In this regard, the present review first examines the fundamental synergistic effects of copper in carbon matrices, followed by a discussion on the critical function of carbon materials as supports in stabilizing active species and promoting electron transfer. Subsequently, recent advances in the synthesis and functionalization of copper – carbon catalysts are summarized, covering key preparation strategies such as hydrothermal synthesis, impregnation methods, pyrolysis of metal – organic frameworks, and chemical vapor deposition, along with surface modification approaches aimed at improving dispersion, stability, and catalytic efficiency. The review then focuses on the application of these materials in biomass conversion, highlighting recent progress in the transformation of biomass into value-added chemicals. Particular attention is given to mechanistic insights, including density functional theory (DFT) studies, electron transfer pathways, and the role of copper sites in controlling selective oxidation reactions. Despite these advances, several challenges remain, especially regarding catalyst stability, structural control, and large-scale implementation. Therefore, the final section discusses current limitations and outlines future perspectives, emphasizing the need for improved durability, scalable synthesis methods, and deeper mechanistic understanding to enable the practical deployment of copper – carbon catalysts in sustainable biomass valorization. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive framework linking structure, synthesis, and function, offering guidance for the rational design of next-generation catalytic systems.