CuZn Alloy-Supported Co₃O₄: An Effective CO₂ Electroreduction Catalyst for Selective CO and Alcohol Formation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is crucial for sustainable energy. Transition metal oxide-supported alloys offer a promising strategy to improve catalyst efficiency and stability.
• The efficiency-stability trade-off remains a significant challenge in CO2 electroreduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and investigate copper-zinc (CuZn) alloy nanoparticles supported on cobalt oxide (Co3O4) for CO2 electroreduction.
• To understand the composition-dependent catalytic behavior and the role of metal-support interactions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of CuZn/Co3O4 nanoparticles with varying CuZn compositions (1-10%).
• Comprehensive characterization using XRD, FESEM-EDX, HRTEM, XPS, CO2-TPD, and Raman spectroscopy.
• Electrochemical evaluation in a three-electrode setup, including product analysis via gas chromatography (GC).

Main Results:

• Formation of well-dispersed CuZn domains on Co3O4 with strong metal-support interactions and tunable surface basicity.
• Enhanced current densities and redox features under CO2, indicating accelerated charge transfer at the CuZn/Co3O4 interface.
• Optimized 2.5% CuZn/Co3O4 achieved high Faradaic efficiencies for carbon monoxide (CO) and isopropanol production at low overpotentials.

Conclusions:

• The CuZn/Co3O4 architecture effectively stabilizes active sites and promotes synergistic electron redistribution for selective CO2 electroreduction.
• Oxide-supported CuZn alloys represent a robust and versatile platform for efficient and selective CO2 conversion.
• The study highlights the potential of tailored alloy-oxide interfaces for advanced catalytic applications.