Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Tuning Cu-Cu Spacing in Single-Atomic Layer Cu Catalysts for Efficient and Stable CO2-To-C2H4 Electroreduction
Weiyang Xu1, Wenda Zhou1,2, Daojian Ye1
1Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Hydrogen and Advanced Catalysis, College of Physics, Communication and Electronics, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, P. R. China.
None:
The transition to sustainable energy relies on the efficient conversion of CO2 into specific multi-carbon (C2+) products, yet this process is severely hindered by the slow kinetics of C─C coupling and uncertain product selectivity. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibit promising catalytic performance but suffer from a fundamental limitation: their lack of contiguous active sites impedes C─C coupling. Herein, we report an innovative isotropic 2D Cu single-atomic-layer catalyst anchored on amorphous carbon substrate, designed to enhance C─C coupling and C2+ selectivity. By stabilizing Cuδ + species and precisely tuning the Cu-Cu spacing to 2.35 Å-matching the C─C bond length of ethylene (C2H4), which significantly promotes C2H4 production. The catalyst achieved a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 78.6% for C2H4 at -0.8 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, accompanied with high stability over 120 h. These findings not only elucidate the profound impact of spatially controlled active sites in complex multi-step reactions but also represent a significant leap forward in CO2 conversion technologies, offering great potential for sustainable carbon utilization and addressing global energy transition challenges.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Structure
Atomic Mass
The Energies of Atomic Orbitals
Atomic Orbitals
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
Atomic Radii and Effective Nuclear Charge

