Efficient electroreduction of CO₂ to C₂₊ products on CeO₂ modified CuO

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to multicarbon (C₂₊) products is a key strategy for CO₂ utilization and renewable energy storage.
• Achieving high selectivity and activity simultaneously for C₂₊ products remains a significant challenge in CO₂ electroreduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel electrocatalyst for efficient CO₂ reduction to C₂₊ products.
• To investigate the catalytic mechanism and understand the factors enhancing selectivity and activity.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of cerium oxides combined with CuO (CeO₂/CuO) as an electrocatalyst.
• Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) measurements.
• In situ experimental techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Main Results:

• CeO₂/CuO demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance for C₂₊ products with a faradaic efficiency of 75.2% at a current density of 1.21 A cm^-2.
• In situ studies and DFT calculations revealed the crucial role of the CeO₂-Cu interface and subsurface Cu₂O in promoting C-C coupling pathways.
• The hydrogenation of *CO to *CHO was identified as an energetically favored pathway, accelerated by enhanced water activation due to CeO₂.

Conclusions:

• The CeO₂/CuO catalyst effectively balances selectivity and activity for CO₂ electroreduction to C₂₊ products.
• The synergistic effect at the CeO₂-Cu interface and improved water activation are key to the enhanced performance.
• This work provides a promising pathway for efficient CO₂ conversion and renewable energy storage.