Selectivity control for CO₂ electroreduction to syngas using Fe/CuO catalysts with high current density

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) electroreduction is a key technology for sustainable chemical production.
• Controlling the syngas (CO and H2) ratio is crucial for various industrial applications.
• Developing efficient and tunable catalysts for CO2 electroreduction remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel and tunable Fe/CuO bimetallic catalyst for CO2 electroreduction.
• To achieve high efficiency and control over the CO/H2 ratio.
• To explore the industrial applicability of the synthesized catalysts.

Main Methods:

• Fe-precipitation and calcination method for synthesizing Fe/CuO bimetallic catalysts.
• Electrochemical CO2 reduction experiments.
• Tuning the metal ratio to control the CO/H2 output.

Main Results:

• Achieved a tunable synthesis of Fe/CuO bimetallic catalysts.
• Demonstrated highly efficient CO2 electroreduction with a Faradaic efficiency of 86.1% for CO.
• Obtained a wide-ranging CO/H2 ratio from 1.94 to 6.18.
• Attained a current density of 49.1 mA cm-2.

Conclusions:

• The Fe/CuO bimetallic catalysts offer a tunable and efficient route for CO2 electroreduction.
• The catalysts can directly produce syngas with industrially relevant CO/H2 ratios.
• This method provides a promising approach for sustainable chemical synthesis.