Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Synthesis 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
Achieving Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Multicarbon Products by Enhancing CO Coverage With Hydrophobic Tandem
Biao Feng1, Fengfei Xu1, Songyan Zuo1
1State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
This study introduces a novel tandem catalyst layer for efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to multicarbon products. The new catalyst enhances CO2 conversion and selectivity while suppressing competing reactions.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR) to multicarbon (C2+) products offers a pathway for carbon recycling using renewable energy.
- Copper (Cu) catalysts face challenges in C2+ selectivity due to low adsorbed CO ( *CO) coverage and competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a tandem catalyst layer (TCL) for enhanced CO2RR to C2+ products in flow cells.
- To improve selectivity and efficiency by addressing *CO coverage and suppressing HER.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a TCL comprising hydrophobic nickel-nitrogen-carbon (Ni-N-C) and electro-reduced Cu nanosheets.
- Electrocatalytic performance testing in flow cells, measuring partial current density and Faradaic efficiency.
- In situ characterization using X-ray absorption fine structure and Raman spectroscopy.
- Theoretical calculations to elucidate reaction mechanisms and adsorption dynamics.
Main Results:
- The Ni-N-C/Cu TCL achieved a high partial current density of ~338 mA cm-2 and ~81% Faradaic efficiency for C2+ products.
- In situ studies and calculations confirmed that the TCL enriches local CO concentration, increasing *CO coverage on Cu.
- Elevated *CO coverage promoted carbon-carbon coupling via a shift to reactive atop adsorption sites.
- Hydrophobic nature of the TCL effectively suppressed the HER by limiting water diffusion.
Conclusions:
- The designed Ni-N-C/Cu TCL significantly enhances CO2RR to C2+ products by optimizing *CO coverage and promoting C-C coupling.
- The hydrophobic TCL effectively suppresses competing HER, leading to improved overall efficiency.
- This study presents a viable strategy for developing advanced tandem catalysts for efficient CO2 conversion.
More Related Videos
10:57Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
10:15Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
Published on: November 7, 2025
Related Concept Videos
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 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 Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Heterogeneous Catalysis
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.
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction