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Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
Published on: November 7, 2025
489
Microdomain tandem catalysis for efficient CO2-to-C2+ conversion at industrial current densities
Lei Wang1, Subhajit Jana2, Chengqian Wu3
1Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|September 11, 2025
Summary
A new microdomain tandem catalysis strategy using Cu2O/Nafion/Ag catalysts boosts electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (eCO2RR) to multi-carbon products. This approach enhances selectivity and efficiency, advancing carbon neutrality goals.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (eCO2RR) to multi-carbon (C2+) products is key for sustainable energy storage and carbon neutrality.
- Current eCO2RR technologies face scalability challenges due to complex catalyst synthesis and precise structural engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile and efficient catalyst strategy for enhanced C2+ selectivity in eCO2RR.
- To investigate the mechanism of microdomain tandem catalysis for CO2 conversion.
Main Methods:
- A microdomain tandem catalysis strategy was employed to construct a Cu2O/Nafion/Ag catalyst.
- In situ characterizations and theoretical calculations were used to analyze catalyst performance and mechanism.
- A 5 cm2 membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzer was utilized to test the catalyst at industrially relevant current densities.
Main Results:
- The Cu2O/Nafion/Ag catalyst demonstrated enhanced C2+ selectivity through synergistic action between Ag and Cu2O domains.
- Nafion-coated Ag nanoclusters facilitated CO2-to-CO conversion, while Cu2O domains promoted CO coupling.
- Optimized catalyst achieved over 70% Faradaic efficiency for C2+ products at 200-250 mA cm-2.
Conclusions:
- The microdomain tandem catalysis strategy offers a new pathway for designing efficient and low-cost eCO2RR catalysts.
- Optimized catalyst structure is crucial for maximizing CO enrichment and facilitating CO transport.
- This work significantly advances the commercialization potential of eCO2RR technologies for carbon neutrality.
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