Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
10:57
Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
18.4K
Modulating CO2 electroreduction pathways through controlled ionomer arrangement on catalyst surfaces via solvent
Yaoyu Yin1,2, Zhongnan Ling3,4, Shiqiang Liu1
1CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Innovation (Cambridge (Mass.))
|June 18, 2025
Summary
Controlling ionomer configuration on catalyst surfaces is key for CO2 electroreduction. Changing the solvent for Nafion ionomers alters their aggregation, tuning product distribution and enhancing multicarbon selectivity.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Ionomers are crucial for CO2 electroreduction electrodes.
- Controlling ionomer configuration influences electrode microenvironment and product distribution.
- Nafion, a common ionomer, shows varied aggregation in solvents with different dielectric constants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate how Nafion aggregation behavior in different solvents affects CO2 electroreduction product distribution.
- To show that solvent choice can tune the ionomer arrangement on catalyst surfaces.
- To introduce a method for controlling CO2 electroreduction products by manipulating ionomer dispersion.
Main Methods:
- Investigated Nafion aggregation in solvents with varying dielectric constants (ε).
- Analyzed Nafion arrangement on catalyst surfaces.
- Evaluated the impact of ionomer configuration on intermediate binding (∗CO and ∗H).
- Quantified product distribution using electrochemical methods.
Main Results:
- Nafion aggregation behavior is dependent on solvent dielectric constant.
- Varied Nafion arrangements on Cu nanosheet catalysts were observed.
- Solvent-induced changes in ionomer configuration modulated the binding of key intermediates.
- Faradaic efficiency for multicarbon products increased from 67.5% to 90.5% by switching from DMSO to isopropanol.
Conclusions:
- Solvent manipulation offers a novel strategy to control ionomer configuration and CO2 electroreduction products.
- This approach allows fine-tuning of product selectivity without altering the catalyst or ionomer.
- The dielectric constant of the dispersion solvent is a critical parameter for optimizing ionomer performance.
