Selective CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene and Multicarbon Alcohols via Electrolyte‐Driven Nanostructuring

Production of multicarbon products (C₂₊) from CO₂ electroreduction reaction (CO₂RR) is highly desirable for storing renewable energy and reducing carbon emission. The electrochemical synthesis of CO₂RR catalysts that are highly selective for C₂₊ products via electrolyte‐driven nanostructuring is presented. Nanostructured Cu catalysts synthesized in the presence of specific anions selectively convert CO₂ into ethylene and multicarbon alcohols in aqueous 0.1 m KHCO₃ solution, with the iodine‐modified catalyst displaying the highest Faradaic efficiency of 80 % and a partial geometric current density of ca. 31.2 mA cm^?2 for C₂₊ products at ?0.9 V vs. RHE. Operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed that the high C₂₊ selectivity of these nanostructured Cu catalysts can be attributed to the highly roughened surface morphology induced by the synthesis, presence of subsurface oxygen and Cu⁺ species, and the adsorbed halides.     

Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction on CuOx Nanocubes: Tracking the Evolution of Chemical State,Geometric Structure,and Catalytic Selectivity using Operando Spectroscopy

The direct electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into multi‐carbon (C₂₊) products still faces fundamental and technological challenges. While facet‐controlled and oxide‐derived Cu materials have been touted as promising catalysts, their stability has remained problematic and poorly understood. Herein we uncover changes in the chemical and morphological state of supported and unsupported Cu₂O nanocubes during operation in low‐current H‐Cells and in high‐current gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) using neutral pH buffer conditions. While unsupported nanocubes achieved a sustained C₂₊ Faradaic efficiency of around 60 % for 40 h, the dispersion on a carbon support sharply shifted the selectivity pattern towards C₁ products. Operando XAS and time‐resolved electron microscopy revealed the degradation of the cubic shape and, in the presence of a carbon support, the formation of small Cu‐seeds during the surprisingly slow reduction of bulk Cu₂O. The initially (100)‐rich facet structure has presumably no controlling role on the catalytic selectivity, whereas the oxide‐derived generation of under‐coordinated lattice defects, can support the high C₂₊ product yields.     

Acidic Media Impedes Tandem Catalysis Reaction Pathways in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) in acidic media with Cu-based catalysts tends to suffer from lowered selectivity towards multicarbon products. This could in principle be mitigated using tandem catalysis, whereby the *CO coverage on Cu is increased by introducing a CO generating catalyst (e.g. Ag) in close proximity. Although this has seen significant success in neutral/alkaline media, here we report that such a strategy becomes impeded in acidic electrolyte. This was investigated through the co-reduction of ¹³CO₂/¹²CO mixtures using a series of Cu and CuAg catalysts. These experiments provide strong evidence for the occurrence of tandem catalysis in neutral media and its curtailment under acidic conditions. Density functional theory simulations suggest that the presence of H₃O⁺ weakens the *CO binding energy of Cu, preventing effective utilization of tandem-supplied CO. Our findings also provide other unanticipated insights into the tandem catalysis reaction pathway and important design considerations for effective CO₂R in acidic media.     

Single Atom Bi Decorated Copper Alloy Enables C−C Coupling for Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 into C2+ Products**

Single atom alloy (SAA) catalysts have been recently explored for promotion of various heterogeneous catalysis, but it remains unexplored for selective electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into multi-carbon (C₂₊) products involving C−C coupling. Herein we report a single-atomic Bi decorated Cu alloy (denoted as BiCu-SAA) electrocatalyst that could effectively modulate selectivity of CO₂ reduction into C₂₊ products instead of previous C₁ ones. The BiCu-SAA catalyst exhibits remarkably superior selectivity of C₂₊ products with optimal Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 73.4 % compared to the pure copper nanoparticle or Bi nanoparticles-decorated Cu nanocomposites, and its structure and performance can be well maintained at current density of 400 mA cm⁻² under the flow cell system. Based on our in situ characterizations and density functional theory calculations, the BiCu-SAA is found to favor the activation of CO₂ and subsequent C−C coupling during the electrocatalytic reaction, as should be responsible for its extraordinary C₂₊ selectivity.     

Surface Adsorbed Hydroxyl: A Double-Edged Sword in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction over Oxide-Derived Copper

Oxide-derived Cu (OD−Cu) featured with surface located sub-20 nm nanoparticles (NPs) created via surface structure reconstruction was developed for electrochemical CO₂ reduction (ECO₂RR). With surface adsorbed hydroxyls (OH_ad) identified during ECO₂RR, it is realized that OH_ad, sterically confined and adsorbed at OD−Cu by surface located sub-20 nm NPs, should be determinative to the multi-carbon (C₂) product selectivity. In situ spectral investigations and theoretical calculations reveal that OH_ad favors the adsorption of low-frequency *CO with weak C≡O bonds and strengthens the *CO binding at OD−Cu surface, promoting *CO dimerization and then selective C₂ production. However, excessive OH_ad would inhibit selective C₂ production by occupying active sites and facilitating competitive H₂ evolution. In a flow cell, stable C₂ production with high selectivity of ∼60 % at −200 mA cm⁻² could be achieved over OD−Cu, with adsorption of OH_ad well steered in the fast flowing electrolyte.     

Manipulating the Oxidation State of CuxO Catalysts to Optimize the Selectivity of Gaseous Products in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Copper-based (Cu-based) catalysts can efficiently convert carbon dioxide to multicarbon products by electrochemical reduction. In this paper, the electrocatalyst with the coexistence of three valence states of Cu(0)-Cu(I)-Cu(II) was successfully prepared by adjusting the experimental conditions. The catalyst was derived from Cu/Cu₂O prepared on carbon cloth and exhibited excellent CO₂ reduction performance. For carbon-gaseous products, the Faradaic efficiencies for the Cu-2 catalyst consisting of Cu(0)-Cu(I)-Cu(II) were 35.45±3.40 % at −1.66 V vs. RHE, of which 23.85±1.18 % for C₂H₄. And the synergistic effect of Cu(0)-Cu(I)-Cu(II) significantly improved the selectivity of the catalyst to C₂H₄. This paper provided an efficient method to rationally tune the valence state of Cu-based catalysts to improve CO₂ reduction performance.     

Efficient electroreduction of CO2 to C2+ products on CeO2 modified CuO

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ into multicarbon (C₂₊) products powered by renewable electricity offers one promising method for CO₂ utilization and promotes the storage of renewable energy under an ambient environment. However, there is still a dilemma in the manufacture of valuable C₂₊ products between balancing selectivity and activity. In this work, cerium oxides were combined with CuO (CeO₂/CuO) and showed an outstanding catalytic performance for C₂₊ products. The faradaic efficiency of the C₂₊ products could reach 75.2% with a current density of 1.21 A cm⁻². In situ experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that the interface between CeO₂ and Cu and the subsurface Cu₂O coexisted in CeO₂/CuO during CO₂RR and two competing pathways for C–C coupling were promoted separately, of which hydrogenation of *CO to *CHO is energetically favoured. In addition, the introduction of CeO₂ also enhanced water activation, which could accelerate the formation rate of *CHO. Thus, the selectivity and activity for C₂₊ products over CeO₂/CuO can be improved simultaneously.

CO₂ can be efficiently converted into C₂₊ products on CeO₂ modified CuO catalysts and the faradaic efficiency could reach 75.2% with a current density of 1.21 A cm⁻².     

Construction of Low-Coordination Cu−C2 Single-Atoms Electrocatalyst Facilitating the Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Methane

Constructing Cu single-atoms (SAs) catalysts is considered as one of the most effective strategies to enhance the performance of electrochemical reduction of CO₂ (e-CO₂RR) towards CH₄, however there are challenges with activity, selectivity, and a cumbersome fabrication process. Herein, by virtue of the meta-position structure of alkynyl in 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene and the interaction between Cu and −C≡C−, a Cu SAs electrocatalyst (Cu−SAs/HGDY), containing low-coordination Cu−C₂ active sites, was synthesized through a simple and efficient one-step method. Notably, this represents the first achievement of preparing Cu SAs catalysts with Cu−C₂ coordination structure, which exhibited high CO₂-to-CH₄ selectivity (72.1 %) with a high CH₄ partial current density of 230.7 mA cm⁻², and a turnover frequency as high as 2756 h⁻¹, dramatically outperforming currently reported catalysts. Comprehensive experiments and calculations verified the low-coordination Cu−C₂ structure not only endowed the Cu SAs center more positive electricity but also promoted the formation of H•, which contributed to the outstanding e-CO₂RR to CH₄ electrocatalytic performance of Cu−SAs/HGDY. Our work provides a novel H⋅-transferring mechanism for e-CO₂RR to CH₄ and offers a protocol for the preparation of two-coordinated Cu SAs catalysts.     

Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction on CuOx Nanocubes: Tracking the Evolution of Chemical State,Geometric Structure,and Catalytic Selectivity using Operando Spectroscopy

The direct electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into multi-carbon (C₂₊) products still faces fundamental and technological challenges. While facet-controlled and oxide-derived Cu materials have been touted as promising catalysts, their stability has remained problematic and poorly understood. Herein we uncover changes in the chemical and morphological state of supported and unsupported Cu₂O nanocubes during operation in low-current H-Cells and in high-current gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) using neutral pH buffer conditions. While unsupported nanocubes achieved a sustained C₂₊ Faradaic efficiency of around 60 % for 40 h, the dispersion on a carbon support sharply shifted the selectivity pattern towards C₁ products. Operando XAS and time-resolved electron microscopy revealed the degradation of the cubic shape and, in the presence of a carbon support, the formation of small Cu-seeds during the surprisingly slow reduction of bulk Cu₂O. The initially (100)-rich facet structure has presumably no controlling role on the catalytic selectivity, whereas the oxide-derived generation of under-coordinated lattice defects, can support the high C₂₊ product yields.     

Selective CO2 Reduction to Ethylene Mediated by Adaptive Small-molecule Engineering of Copper-based Electrocatalysts

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) over Cu catalysts exhibits enormous potential for efficiently converting CO₂ to ethylene (C₂H₄). However, achieving high C₂H₄ selectivity remains a considerable challenge due to the propensity of Cu catalysts to undergo structural reconstruction during CO₂RR. Herein, we report an in situ molecule modification strategy that involves tannic acid (TA) molecules adaptive regulating the reconstruction of a Cu-based material to a pathway that facilitates CO₂ reduction to C₂H₄ products. An excellent Faraday efficiency (FE) of 63.6 % on C₂H₄ with a current density of 497.2 mA cm⁻² in flow cell was achieved, about 6.5 times higher than the pristine Cu catalyst which mainly produce CH₄. The in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Raman studies reveal that the hydroxyl group in TA stabilizes Cu^δ+ during the CO₂RR. Furthermore, theoretical calculations demonstrate that the Cu^δ+/Cu⁰ interfaces lower the activation energy barrier for *CO dimerization, and hydroxyl species stabilize the *COH intermediate via hydrogen bonding, thereby promoting C₂H₄ production. Such molecule engineering modulated electronic structure provides a promising strategy to achieve highly selective CO₂ reduction to value-added chemicals.     

Morphology‐Directed Selective Production of Ethylene or Ethane from CO2 on a Cu Mesopore Electrode

The electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ to value‐added hydrocarbons is receiving significant attention as a promising way to close the broken carbon‐cycle. While most metal catalysts produce C₁ species, such as carbon monoxide and formate, the production of various hydrocarbons and alcohols comprising more than two carbons has been achieved using copper (Cu)‐based catalysts only. Methods for producing specific C₂ reduction outcomes with high selectivity, however, are not available thus far. Herein, the morphological effect of a Cu mesopore electrode on the selective production of C₂ products, ethylene or ethane, is presented. Cu mesopore electrodes with precisely controlled pore widths and depths were prepared by using a thermal deposition process on anodized aluminum oxide. With this simple synthesis method, we demonstrated that C₂ chemical selectivity can be tuned by systematically altering the morphology. Supported by computational simulations, we proved that nanomorphology can change the local pH and, additionally, retention time of key intermediates by confining the chemicals inside the pores.     

On the Oxidation State of Cu2O upon Electrochemical CO2 Reduction: An XPS Study

The encouraging selectivity of copper oxides for the electroreduction of CO₂ into ethylene and alcohols has led to a vivid debate on the possible relation between their operando (sub-)surface oxidation state (i. e. fully reduced or partially oxidized) and this distinct reactivity. The high roughness of the Cu oxides used in previous studies on this matter adds complexity to this controversy and motivated us to prepare quasi-planar Cu₂O thin films that displayed a CO₂ reduction selectivity similar to that of oxide-derived copper catalysts reported in previous studies. Most importantly, when the post-mortem thin films were transferred for characterization in an air-free environment, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed their complete reduction in the course of the CO₂ reduction reaction. Thus, our results indicate that the selectivity of the Cu oxides featured in previous studies stems from their enhanced roughness, highlighting the importance of controlled sample transfer upon post-mortem characterization with ex situ techniques.     

Dynamic Changes in the Structure,Chemical State and Catalytic Selectivity of Cu Nanocubes during CO2 Electroreduction: Size and Support Effects

In situ and operando spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to gain insight into the correlation between the structure, chemical state, and reactivity of size‐ and shape‐controlled ligand‐free Cu nanocubes during CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR). Dynamic changes in the morphology and composition of Cu cubes supported on carbon were monitored under potential control through electrochemical atomic force microscopy, X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under reaction conditions, the roughening of the nanocube surface, disappearance of the (100) facets, formation of pores, loss of Cu and reduction of CuO_x species observed were found to lead to a suppression of the selectivity for multi‐carbon products (i.e. C₂H₄ and ethanol) versus CH₄. A comparison with Cu cubes supported on Cu foils revealed an enhanced morphological stability and persistence of Cu^I species under CO₂RR in the former samples. Both factors are held responsible for the higher C₂/C₁ product ratio observed for the Cu cubes/Cu as compared to Cu cubes/C. Our findings highlight the importance of the structure of the active nanocatalyst but also its interaction with the underlying substrate in CO₂RR selectivity.     

Dynamic Changes in the Structure,Chemical State and Catalytic Selectivity of Cu Nanocubes during CO2 Electroreduction: Size and Support Effects

In situ and operando spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to gain insight into the correlation between the structure, chemical state, and reactivity of size‐ and shape‐controlled ligand‐free Cu nanocubes during CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR). Dynamic changes in the morphology and composition of Cu cubes supported on carbon were monitored under potential control through electrochemical atomic force microscopy, X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under reaction conditions, the roughening of the nanocube surface, disappearance of the (100) facets, formation of pores, loss of Cu and reduction of CuO_x species observed were found to lead to a suppression of the selectivity for multi‐carbon products (i.e. C₂H₄ and ethanol) versus CH₄. A comparison with Cu cubes supported on Cu foils revealed an enhanced morphological stability and persistence of Cu^I species under CO₂RR in the former samples. Both factors are held responsible for the higher C₂/C₁ product ratio observed for the Cu cubes/Cu as compared to Cu cubes/C. Our findings highlight the importance of the structure of the active nanocatalyst but also its interaction with the underlying substrate in CO₂RR selectivity.     

Ensemble effects in Cu/Au ultrasmall nanoparticles control the branching point for C1 selectivity during CO2 electroreduction

Bimetallic catalysts provide opportunities to overcome scaling laws governing selectivity of CO₂ reduction (CO₂R). Cu/Au nanoparticles show promise for CO₂R, but Au surface segregation on particles with sizes ≥7 nm prevent investigation of surface atom ensembles. Here we employ ultrasmall (2 nm) Cu/Au nanoparticles as catalysts for CO₂R. The high surface to volume ratio of ultrasmall particles inhibits formation of a Au shell, enabling the study of ensemble effects in Cu/Au nanoparticles with controllable composition and uniform size and shape. Electrokinetics show a nonmonotonic dependence of C1 selectivity between CO and HCOOH, with the 3Au:1Cu composition showing the highest HCOOH selectivity. Density functional theory identifies Cu₂/Au(211) ensembles as unique in their ability to synthesize HCOOH by stabilizing CHOO* while preventing H₂ evolution, making C1 product selectivity a sensitive function of Cu/Au surface ensemble distribution, consistent with experimental findings. These results yield important insights into C1 branching pathways and demonstrate how ultrasmall nanoparticles can circumvent traditional scaling laws to improve the selectivity of CO₂R.

Bimetallic catalysts provide opportunities to overcome scaling laws governing C1 selectivity of CO₂ reduction (CO₂R).     

Elucidating the structure-dependent selectivity of CuZn towards methane and ethanol in CO2 electroreduction using tailored Cu/ZnO precatalysts

Understanding the catalyst compositional and structural features that control selectivity is of uttermost importance to target desired products in chemical reactions. In this joint experimental–computational work, we leverage tailored Cu/ZnO precatalysts as a material platform to identify the intrinsic features of methane-producing and ethanol-producing CuZn catalysts in the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). Specifically, we find that Cu@ZnO nanocrystals, where a central Cu domain is decorated with ZnO domains, and ZnO@Cu nanocrystals, where a central ZnO domain is decorated with Cu domains, evolve into Cu@CuZn core@shell catalysts that are selective for methane (∼52%) and ethanol (∼39%), respectively. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and various microscopy methods evidence that a higher degree of surface alloying along with a higher concentration of metallic Zn improve the ethanol selectivity. Density functional theory explains that the combination of electronic and tandem effects accounts for such selectivity. These findings mark a step ahead towards understanding structure–property relationships in bimetallic catalysts for the CO₂RR and their rational tuning to increase selectivity towards target products, especially alcohols.

A higher degree of surface alloying and Zn concentration boosts the selectivity towards ethanol of CuZn catalysts in CO₂ electroreduction.     

Correlating Oxidation State and Surface Ligand Motifs with the Selectivity of CO2 Photoreduction to C2 Products

The design for non-Cu-based catalysts with the function of producing C₂₊ products requires systematic knowledge of the intrinsic connection between the surface state as well as the catalytic activity and selectivity. In this work, photochemical in situ spectral surface characterization techniques combined with the first principle calculations (DFT) were applied to investigate the relationships between the composition of surface states, coordinated motifs, and catalytic selectivity of a titanium oxynitride catalyst. When the catalyst mediates CO₂ photoreduction, C₂ product selectivity is positively correlated with the surface Ti²⁺/Ti³⁺ ratio and the surface oxidation state is regulated and controlled by coordinated motifs of N−Ti-O/V[O], which can reduce the potential dimerization energy barriers of *CO−CO* and promote spontaneous formation of the subsequent *CO−CH₂* intermediate. This phenomenon provides a new perspective for the design of heterogeneous catalysts for photoreduction of CO₂ into useful products.     

Isolated Square‐Planar Copper Center in Boron Imidazolate Nanocages for Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO

Photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to value‐added fuel has been considered to be a promising strategy to reduce global warming and shortage of energy. Rational design and synthesis of catalysts to maximumly expose the active sites is the key to activate CO₂ molecules and determine the reaction selectivity. Herein, we synthesize a well‐defined copper‐based boron imidazolate cage (BIF‐29) with six exposed mononuclear copper centers for the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂. Theoretical calculations show a single Cu site including weak coordinated water delivers a new state in the conduction band near the Fermi level and stabilizes the *COOH intermediate. Steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence spectra show these Cu sites promote the separation of electron–hole pairs and electron transfer. As a result, the cage achieves solar‐driven reduction of CO₂ to CO with an evolution rate of 3334 μmol g^?1 h^?1 and a high selectivity of 82.6 %.     

Unexpected high selectivity for acetate formation from CO2 reduction with copper based 2D hybrid catalysts at ultralow potentials

Copper-based catalysts are efficient for CO₂ reduction affording commodity chemicals. However, Cu(i) active species are easily reduced to Cu(0) during the CO₂RR, leading to a rapid decay of catalytic performance. Herein, we report a hybrid-catalyst that firmly anchors 2D-Cu metallic dots on F-doped Cu_xO nanoplates (Cu_xOF), synthesized by electrochemical-transformation under the same conditions as the targeted CO₂RR. The as-prepared Cu/Cu_xOF hybrid showed unusual catalytic activity towards the CO₂RR for CH₃COO⁻ generation, with a high FE of 27% at extremely low potentials. The combined experimental and theoretical results show that nanoscale hybridization engenders an effective s,p-d coupling in Cu/Cu_xOF, raising the d-band center of Cu and thus enhancing electroactivity and selectivity for the acetate formation. This work highlights the use of electronic interactions to bias a hybrid catalyst towards a particular pathway, which is critical for tuning the activity and selectivity of copper-based catalysts for the CO₂RR.

A two-dimensional (2D) copper hybrid catalyst (Cu/Cu_xOF) composed of metallic Cu well dispersed on 2D F-doped Cu_xO nanoplates (Cu_xOF) is reported, which shows high catalytic activity toward the CO₂RR for acetate generation.     

Highly Selective Production of Ethylene by the Electroreduction of Carbon Monoxide

Conversion of carbon monoxide to high value‐added ethylene with high selectivity by traditional syngas conversion process is challenging because of the limitation of Anderson‐Schulz–Flory distribution. Herein we report a direct electrocatalytic process for highly selective ethylene production from CO reduction with water over Cu catalysts at room temperature and ambient pressure. An unprecedented 52.7 % Faradaic efficiency of ethylene formation is achieved through optimization of cathode structure to facilitate CO diffusion at the surface of the electrode and Cu catalysts to enhance the C?C bond coupling. The highly selective ethylene production is almost without other carbon‐based byproducts (e.g. C₁–C₄ hydrocarbons and CO₂) and avoids the drawbacks of the traditional Fischer–Tropsch process that always delivers undesired products. This study provides a new and promising strategy for highly selective production of ethylene from the abundant industrial CO.