Host–Guest Metal Interaction in Cu‐In Single Atom Alloy Switching Electrocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction Pathway

Abstract The catalytic behavior of alloy electrocatalyst is strongly influenced by host–guest metal interaction, which governs adsorption energy and product selectivity. However, in conventional bimetallic alloy systems, the catalyst composition and the geometric configuration often obscure the identification of critical active sites. Here, we investigate the host–guest metal interaction in Cu–In single atom alloy (SAA) catalysts, demonstrating a remarkable switching of electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) pathway. Doping 1% Indium into a Cu matrix forms isolated In‐Cu interfaces, enabling efficient CO 2 ‐to‐CO conversion with a Faradaic efficiency exceeding 90%. Conversely, doping 1% Cu into an Indium matrix leads to the formation of a CuIn alloy phase, shifting the product selectivity to HCOOH with a Faradaic efficiency exceeding 90%. In situ spectroscopic measurements and density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal that Cu serves as the active site on both Cu–In SAA catalysts. The adsorption energy of host Cu atoms is affected by doped Indium at the In‐Cu interface, which promotes CO 2 adsorption and activation while weakening the binding strength of linearly bonded *CO, thereby enhancing CO selectivity. Conversely, the rigid matrix of the CuIn alloy stabilizes the bridge‐bonded *CO, favoring the production of HCOOH.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2025-09-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202512970
Primary Topic
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Host–Guest Metal Interaction in Cu‐In Single Atom Alloy Switching Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Pathway

Jia‐Huan Du, Tian Sheng, Jinyu Ye, Yifan Li et al.
Angewandte Chemie
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
article

Host–Guest Metal Interaction in Cu‐In Single Atom Alloy Switching Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Pathway

Jia‐Huan Du, Tian Sheng, Jinyu Ye, Yifan Li, Jinyun Liu, Shanyong Chen, Ziwei Liu, Yuting Zhang
article en

Abstract

Abstract The catalytic behavior of alloy electrocatalyst is strongly influenced by host–guest metal interaction, which governs adsorption energy and product selectivity. However, in conventional bimetallic alloy systems, the catalyst composition and the geometric configuration often obscure the identification of critical active sites. Here, we investigate the host–guest metal interaction in Cu–In single atom alloy (SAA) catalysts, demonstrating a remarkable switching of electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) pathway. Doping 1% Indium into a Cu matrix forms isolated In‐Cu interfaces, enabling efficient CO 2 ‐to‐CO conversion with a Faradaic efficiency exceeding 90%. Conversely, doping 1% Cu into an Indium matrix leads to the formation of a CuIn alloy phase, shifting the product selectivity to HCOOH with a Faradaic efficiency exceeding 90%. In situ spectroscopic measurements and density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal that Cu serves as the active site on both Cu–In SAA catalysts. The adsorption energy of host Cu atoms is affected by doped Indium at the In‐Cu interface, which promotes CO 2 adsorption and activation while weakening the binding strength of linearly bonded *CO, thereby enhancing CO selectivity. Conversely, the rigid matrix of the CuIn alloy stabilizes the bridge‐bonded *CO, favoring the production of HCOOH.

Angewandte ChemieVol. 137(43)
Nanjing Tech University (CN), Central South University (CN), Xiamen University (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics (CN), Anhui Normal University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
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