Regulating Asymmetric C–C Coupling with Interfacial Alkalinity for Efficient CO <sub>2</sub> to C <sub>2+</sub> Electroconversion

Abstract The electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 in neutral electrolytes is a promising avenue to minimize energy losses linked to carbonate formation. However, selectivity for multi‐carbon (C 2+ ) products is hampered by kinetic barriers in C–C coupling. Here, the regulation of asymmetric C–C coupling is achieved with interfacial alkalinity, facilitating efficient CO 2 to C 2+ electroconversion. This is realized by co‐engineering copper electrodes with ZrO 2 sites and CeO x sites to enable a favorable microenvironment that greatly boosts intrinsic catalytic activity. In situ spectroscopic results and theoretical analyses demonstrates that CeO x facilitates the dissociation of H 2 O into *H and *OH, effectively regulating *H coverage at the catalytic interface and promoting the protonation of *CO to *COH. Meanwhile, ZrO 2 sites significantly enhance the adsorption of in situ‐produced *OH, optimize the local pH on the Cu surface, and enable the formation of C 2+ products via a low‐energy *OC–COH coupling pathway. A notable CO 2 to C 2+ electroconversion in 1.0 M KCl electrolyte, with Faraday efficiency of 67.2 ± 2.1% and a partial current density of 413.0 ± 9.9 mA cm −2 is achieved. This synergistic enhancement of hydroxyl adsorption and stabilization at the catalytic interface, driven by the activation of H 2 O, is crucial for boosting the overall catalytic performance of the system.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-01-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202422012
Citations
17
Primary Topic
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.18

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article

Regulating Asymmetric C–C Coupling with Interfacial Alkalinity for Efficient CO 2 to C 2+ Electroconversion

Jianping Yang, Zichao Huang, Linjiao Zhou, Jun Chen et al.
17 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
6.18
article

Regulating Asymmetric C–C Coupling with Interfacial Alkalinity for Efficient CO 2 to C 2+ Electroconversion

Jianping Yang, Zichao Huang, Linjiao Zhou, Jun Chen, Chaoqun Guan, Wenke Gui, Min Kuang
article en
17 citations

Abstract

Abstract The electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 in neutral electrolytes is a promising avenue to minimize energy losses linked to carbonate formation. However, selectivity for multi‐carbon (C 2+ ) products is hampered by kinetic barriers in C–C coupling. Here, the regulation of asymmetric C–C coupling is achieved with interfacial alkalinity, facilitating efficient CO 2 to C 2+ electroconversion. This is realized by co‐engineering copper electrodes with ZrO 2 sites and CeO x sites to enable a favorable microenvironment that greatly boosts intrinsic catalytic activity. In situ spectroscopic results and theoretical analyses demonstrates that CeO x facilitates the dissociation of H 2 O into *H and *OH, effectively regulating *H coverage at the catalytic interface and promoting the protonation of *CO to *COH. Meanwhile, ZrO 2 sites significantly enhance the adsorption of in situ‐produced *OH, optimize the local pH on the Cu surface, and enable the formation of C 2+ products via a low‐energy *OC–COH coupling pathway. A notable CO 2 to C 2+ electroconversion in 1.0 M KCl electrolyte, with Faraday efficiency of 67.2 ± 2.1% and a partial current density of 413.0 ± 9.9 mA cm −2 is achieved. This synergistic enhancement of hydroxyl adsorption and stabilization at the catalytic interface, driven by the activation of H 2 O, is crucial for boosting the overall catalytic performance of the system.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 35(24)
Donghua University (CN), University of Wollongong (AU)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Donghua University, State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
6.18
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