Volcano‐Shaped Relationship Between Interfacial K<sup>+</sup>‐H<sub>2</sub>O Ratio and CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction Activity in Tandem Electrocatalysts

Abstract Modulating surface‐active hydrogen (*H) supply represents a critical strategy to boost the electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (ECRR), yet the mechanistic interplay between *H dynamics and catalytic behavior remains ambiguous. Herein, we construct tandem catalysts (M 4 /Ni 1 NC, M = Fe, Co, Cu, or Mn) by coupling tetranuclear metal clusters (M 4 ) with single‐atom Ni sites on N‐doped carbon (Ni 1 NC) to regulate *H supply. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the *H supply is governed by both thermodynamics and kinetic factors. The M 4 clusters provide the thermodynamic feasibility for *H supply for CO 2 activation. The *H supply rate in kinetic perspective is tuned by the K + ‐H 2 O ratio of interfacial water, determined by work function of the decorated M 4 clusters. The increased K + ‐H 2 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 + ‐H 2 O ratio and ECRR performance. Among these samples, Cu 4 /Ni 1 NC with moderate *H supply rate in kinetic exhibits exceptional ECRR performance, achieving &gt;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 −2 at −1.0 V) in a flow cell.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2025-08-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202514557
Primary Topic
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Volcano‐Shaped Relationship Between Interfacial K+‐H2O Ratio and CO2 Reduction Activity in Tandem Electrocatalysts

Yida Du, Fengshou Yu, Yishan Xu, Fei Li et al.
4 links
Angewandte Chemie
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
article

Volcano‐Shaped Relationship Between Interfacial K+‐H2O Ratio and CO2 Reduction Activity in Tandem Electrocatalysts

Yida Du, Fengshou Yu, Yishan Xu, Fei Li, Yaohua Hong, Lu‐Hua Zhang, Yabo Guo
article en

Abstract

Abstract Modulating surface‐active hydrogen (*H) supply represents a critical strategy to boost the electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (ECRR), yet the mechanistic interplay between *H dynamics and catalytic behavior remains ambiguous. Herein, we construct tandem catalysts (M 4 /Ni 1 NC, M = Fe, Co, Cu, or Mn) by coupling tetranuclear metal clusters (M 4 ) with single‐atom Ni sites on N‐doped carbon (Ni 1 NC) to regulate *H supply. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the *H supply is governed by both thermodynamics and kinetic factors. The M 4 clusters provide the thermodynamic feasibility for *H supply for CO 2 activation. The *H supply rate in kinetic perspective is tuned by the K + ‐H 2 O ratio of interfacial water, determined by work function of the decorated M 4 clusters. The increased K + ‐H 2 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 + ‐H 2 O ratio and ECRR performance. Among these samples, Cu 4 /Ni 1 NC with moderate *H supply rate in kinetic exhibits exceptional ECRR performance, achieving &gt;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 −2 at −1.0 V) in a flow cell.

Angewandte ChemieVol. 137(41)
Hebei University of Technology (CN), Dalian University of Technology (CN), Dalian University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City
Openalex Percentile: Top 86%
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
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