Selective electrocatalytic CO₂ to methane and acetate on Cu₃N-NaN₃-EDA nanoparticles

Abstract The development of efficient catalysts made from earth abundant elements has gained much attention from the scientific community. Herein, we report on the preparation, the surface functionalization of Cu 3 N nanoparticles and their use as catalyst for CO 2 reduction reactions. Cu 3 N cubic nanoparticles, sized of 14.4 ± 2 nm, were synthesized using octadecyl-amine (ODA) as the capping ligand. A novel post-functionalization process was developed using a mixture of ethylenediamine (EDA) and sodium-azide (NaN 3 ) to completely remove ODA ligand. The resultant Cu 3 N-NaN 3 -EDA nanoparticles showed an attractive catalytic CO 2 reduction activity, e.g. favor the production of CH 4 and acetate products in comparison to CO and formate products, when being assayed in a 0.1 M NaHCO 3 solution saturated with CO 2 . HRTEM, Raman and FTIR analyses were used to evidence the success of ligand exchange as well as the role of EDA ligand in activating the CO 2 molecule through the formation of carbamate.