Copper adparticle enabled selective electrosynthesis of n-propanol

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Electrochemical reduction of carbon monoxide (CO) is key for renewable fuel production.
• Copper catalysts favor two-carbon products, but efficient synthesis of higher carbon products like n-propanol remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of copper adparticles for selective n-propanol formation from CO reduction.
• To develop and characterize novel catalysts for enhanced production of higher carbon fuels.

Main Methods:

• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to model CO binding and intermediate stabilization on copper adparticles.
• In-situ catalyst formation via mediating catalyst growth with strong CO chemisorption.
• Electrochemical reduction experiments to assess n-propanol yield and selectivity.

Main Results:

• DFT calculations indicated copper adparticles stabilize key intermediates and promote C-C coupling for three-carbon product formation.
• In-situ formed adparticle-covered catalysts achieved a 23% Faradaic efficiency for n-propanol.
• A significant n-propanol partial current density of 11 mA cm⁻² was reached.

Conclusions:

• Copper adparticles serve as preferential sites for n-propanol formation during CO electroreduction.
• The developed in-situ catalyst synthesis method enables efficient production of higher carbon fuels from CO.
• This work advances the development of catalysts for renewable fuel and chemical synthesis.