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Updated: Jul 5, 2025
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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
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Site-selective protonation enables efficient carbon monoxide electroreduction to acetate
Xinyue Wang1,2, Yuanjun Chen1, Feng Li3
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A4, Canada.
Nature Communications
|January 19, 2024
Summary
Electrosynthesis of carbon monoxide (CO) to acetate is improved by interface engineering. This method enhances selectivity and energy efficiency for acetate production, offering a sustainable chemical route.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Electrosynthesis of acetate from CO presents a low-carbon pathway but requires improved selectivity, rate, and stability.
- Controlled protonation of intermediates and suppression of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are critical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance acetate electrosynthesis from CO through interface engineering.
- To achieve high selectivity and energy efficiency for acetate production while minimizing HER.
Main Methods:
- Interface engineering to regulate the solid/liquid/gas triple-phase interface.
- Catalyst composition tuning and interfacial water management.
- Development of a high-pressure membrane electrode assembly system for controlled CO distribution.
Main Results:
- Site-selective protonation of intermediates and stabilization of ketene intermediates were achieved.
- A cadmium-copper catalyst demonstrated 75% acetate Faradaic efficiency (FE) with <0.2% H2 FE at 150 mA cm-2.
- Optimized system achieved 86% acetate FE and 32% energy efficiency (EE) in direct acetate electrosynthesis.
Conclusions:
- Interface engineering significantly improves selectivity and energy efficiency in CO electrosynthesis to acetate.
- The developed cadmium-copper catalyst and system represent a breakthrough in sustainable acetate production.
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