Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
Published on: November 7, 2025
Decoupling CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions on CuZn alloys by constructing asymmetric active
Shanlin Chen1,2, Haiyan Zhu1,2, Yuyuan Huang1,2
1Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Theoretical Physics Frontiers, Institute of Modern Physics, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China. zhuhaiyan@nwu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
CuZn binary alloys have emerged as promising electrocatalysts, yet the precise regulatory mechanisms governing their catalytic performance remain elusive. In this study, we constructed CuZnX model catalysts featuring symmetry-breaking active centers by introducing heteroatoms (X = Si, P, S and Cl) at the step edges of CuZn. Theoretical calculations reveal that heteroatom X modulates the adsorption strength of the key *H intermediate through synergistic geometric effects (selective occupation of high-activity sites) and electronic effects (reconstruction of charge distribution on edge Cu atoms), thereby decoupling and optimizing the catalytic activities toward the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This work provides new design principles for the rational design of high-performance alloy catalysts through local microenvironment engineering.
More Related Videos
09:22Synthesis and Performance Evaluations of ZnCoS/ZnCdS with Twin Crystal Structure for Multifunctional Redox Photocatalysis in Energy Applications
Published on: July 25, 2025
08:40Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Catalysis