Three-Phase-Heterojunction Cu/Cu₂O-Sb₂O₃ Catalyst Enables Efficient CO₂ Electroreduction to CO and High-Performance...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Zinc-CO2 batteries offer dual benefits for energy generation and CO2 utilization.
• Developing cost-effective electrocatalysts for selective CO2 reduction is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate a novel three-phase heterojunction Cu-based electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction.
• To enhance selectivity and efficiency in CO2-to-CO conversion for Zn-CO2 batteries.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a Cu/Cu2O-Sb2O3-15 heterojunction electrocatalyst.
• Electrochemical evaluation of CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR).
• In situ spectroscopy and theoretical analysis to understand reaction mechanisms.

Main Results:

• The Cu/Cu2O-Sb2O3-15 catalyst achieved a peak Faradaic efficiency of 96.3% for CO2 reduction to CO.
• Sb incorporation promoted the formation of key *COOH intermediates.
• The assembled Zn-CO2 battery demonstrated a peak power density of 3.01 mW cm-2 and 417 cycles stability.

Conclusions:

• The developed Cu/Cu2O-Sb2O3-15 electrocatalyst offers superior performance for CO2 reduction in Zn-CO2 batteries.
• This work provides insights for designing advanced catalysts for efficient CO2 utilization and energy storage.