In situ dual doping for constructing efficient CO₂-to-methanol electrocatalysts

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Methanol is a valuable industrial chemical produced via CO2 electroreduction.
• High-performance electrocatalysts for efficient CO2-to-methanol conversion remain a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient electrocatalyst for CO2 electroreduction to methanol.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of dual doping on catalyst performance.

Main Methods:

• In situ dual doping strategy using Ag and S on a Cu2O/Cu substrate.
• Electrochemical testing in an H-type cell with an ionic liquid/water electrolyte.
• Experimental and theoretical studies (computational analysis) to understand doping effects.

Main Results:

• Achieved a methanol Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 67.4% at a high current density of 122.7 mA cm-2.
• Demonstrated superior performance compared to previously reported catalysts, with higher current densities at >50% FE.
• Identified that sulfur (S) doping optimizes electronic structure and morphology, while silver (Ag) doping suppresses hydrogen evolution.

Conclusions:

• The Ag,S-Cu2O/Cu electrocatalyst, synthesized via in situ dual doping, significantly enhances CO2 electroreduction to methanol.
• Synergistic interactions between dopants (Ag, S) and the Cu2O host improve selectivity and current density.
• This strategy offers a promising pathway for designing advanced catalysts for CO2 utilization.