Liquid‐Liquid Interface ‐Driven Reconstruction of CuAg Nanocomposites for Selective CO <sub>2</sub> to C <sub>2</sub> H <sub>4</sub> Electroreduction
The electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR) to multicarbon products such as C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> is critical for sustainable energy conversion but remains a significant challenge. Cu-based nanocatalysts can facilitate C─C coupling for C<sub>2+</sub> product generation, yet their catalytic efficiency and selectivity require further improvement. In this study, a liquid-liquid interface etching strategy is employed, using Cu nanocubes as templates and aqueous AgNO<sub>3</sub> as the etchant to synthesize well-defined CuAg nanocomposites. Among these, the optimized Cu<sub>67</sub>Ag<sub>33</sub> composite nanocubes achieved a ethylene (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) Faraday efficiency (FE) of 43.90% and a partial current density of 21.50 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>at -1.50 V<sub>RHE</sub>. This work demonstrates a versatile approach to integrate secondary metal active sites via directional confined etching, while reconstructing catalytic interfaces to enhance C─C coupling and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> selectivity. These findings provide a strategic framework for the rational design of efficient CO<sub>2</sub>RR catalysts, advancing the development of sustainable carbon conversion technologies.
Authors
- Ramadan A. Geioushy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4164-7495)
- Tahany Mahmoud (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5040-5669)
- Shu-Yao Zhang
- Min Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9007-4817)
- Qing Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5286-4423)
- Yi Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9031-1897)
- Ji‐Long Sang
Institutions
- Hunan International Economics University (CN)
- Central South University (CN)
- Hunan University (CN)
- Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (EG)
- Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Small
- Published
- 2025-10-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202508803
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.73