Volcano‐Shaped Relationship Between Interfacial K<sup>+</sup>‐H<sub>2</sub>O Ratio and CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction Activity in Tandem Electrocatalysts
Modulating surface-active hydrogen (*H) supply represents a critical strategy to boost the electrocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (ECRR), yet the mechanistic interplay between *H dynamics and catalytic behavior remains ambiguous. Herein, we construct tandem catalysts (M<sub>4</sub>/Ni<sub>1</sub>NC, M = Fe, Co, Cu, or Mn) by coupling tetranuclear metal clusters (M<sub>4</sub>) with single-atom Ni sites on N-doped carbon (Ni<sub>1</sub>NC) to regulate *H supply. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the *H supply is governed by both thermodynamics and kinetic factors. The M<sub>4</sub> clusters provide the thermodynamic feasibility for *H supply for CO<sub>2</sub> activation. The *H supply rate in kinetic perspective is tuned by the K<sup>+</sup>-H<sub>2</sub>O ratio of interfacial water, determined by work function of the decorated M<sub>4</sub> clusters. The increased K<sup>+</sup>-H<sub>2</sub>O ratio can promote water dissociation to maintain optimal *H coverage for intermediate hydrogenation, whereas excessive *H accumulation triggers competitive hydrogen evolution. Therefore, a volcanic relationship was observed between the K<sup>+</sup>-H<sub>2</sub>O ratio and ECRR performance. Among these samples, Cu<sub>4</sub>/Ni<sub>1</sub>NC with moderate *H supply rate in kinetic exhibits exceptional ECRR performance, achieving >95% Faradaic efficiency for CO across a 0.8 V potential range (-0.2 to -1.0 V versus RHE) and industrial-relevant current densities (∼385 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> at -1.0 V) in a flow cell.
Authors
- Yida Du
- Fengshou Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9863-3591)
- Yishan Xu
- Fei Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3686-7576)
- Yaohua Hong
- Lu‐Hua Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0298-9388)
- Yabo Guo
Institutions
- Hebei University of Technology (CN)
- Dalian University of Technology (CN)
- Dalian University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2025-08-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202514557
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.36
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City