Efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethylene using cuprous oxide derivatives
Copper-based materials play a vital role in the electrochemical transformation of CO<sub>2</sub> into C<sub>2</sub>/C<sub>2+</sub> compounds. In this study, cross-sectional octahedral Cu<sub>2</sub>O microcrystals were prepared <i>in situ</i> on carbon paper electrodes via electrochemical deposition. The morphology and integrity of the exposed crystal surface (111) were meticulously controlled by adjusting the deposition potential, time, and temperature. These cross-sectional octahedral Cu<sub>2</sub>O microcrystals exhibited high electrocatalytic activity for ethylene (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) production through CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. In a 0.1 M KHCO<sub>3</sub> electrolyte, the Faradaic efficiency for C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> reached 42.0% at a potential of -1.376 V vs. RHE. During continuous electrolysis over 10 h, the FE (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) remained stable around 40%. During electrolysis, the fully exposed (111) crystal faces of Cu<sub>2</sub>O microcrystals are reduced to Cu<sup>0</sup>, which enhances C-C coupling and could serve as the main active sites for catalyzing the conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> to C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>.
Authors
- Zhiqiang Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6289-3428)
- Dejun Fu
- W. Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4376-1152)
- Wen‐Fei Dong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1319-3166)
- Hong‐jian Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7564-4308)
- Zhifeng Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9001-9850)
Institutions
- Hetao College (CN)
- Ningxia Normal University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Chemistry
- Published
- 2024-10-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2024.1482168
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.31
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Ningxia Normal University