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Published on: April 10, 2018
Surface Facets Reconstruction in Copper-Based Materials for Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Zezhong Xie1, Qiushi Wang1,2, Hao Yang3
1MOE of the Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry. The Key Lab of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, School of Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China.
Controlling copper surface reconstruction is key for efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction. This study engineered specific copper facets and interfaces, enhancing the production of valuable multi-carbon products like ethylene.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Surface reconstruction of copper (Cu) during electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction is unpredictable and impacts hydrocarbon product yields.
- Controlling Cu surface facets and interfaces is crucial for understanding and improving CO2 reduction activity and selectivity.
- Existing catalyst design methods require advancement for targeted surface engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile strategy for controlling surface facet reconstruction in copper catalysts.
- To investigate the role of specific Cu facets and interfaces (Cu(111), Cu(110)/(111)) in CO2 electroreduction.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which surface structure influences the production of multi-carbon products.
Main Methods:
- A combined chemical and electro-reduction strategy was employed to reconstruct cuprous oxide (Cu2O) into specified Cu facets.
- Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction experiments were performed using modified and unmodified Cu catalysts.
- Theoretical and experimental analyses were used to study the catalyst structure-activity/selectivity relationships.
Main Results:
- The engineered Cu catalyst with specified Cu(111) facets and Cu(110)/(111) interfaces significantly boosted CO2 electrocatalytic conversion to multi-carbon (C2+) products.
- Compared to unmodified catalysts, the reconstructed Cu showed enhanced performance in CO2 reduction.
- Theoretical and experimental data indicated that the Cu(110)/(111) interface lowers the energy barrier for C-C coupling, favoring ethylene (C2H4) production.
Conclusions:
- A facile strategy combining chemical and electro-reduction successfully engineered specific Cu facets and interfaces for enhanced CO2 electroreduction.
- The Cu(110)/(111) interface plays a critical role in tailoring reaction pathways and promoting C-C coupling for C2+ product formation.
- This work provides a valuable paradigm for designing Cu-based electrocatalysts by controlling surface facet reconstruction for efficient CO2 conversion.
