Interface engineering of Pt-deposited Cu electrodes via laser ablation for enhanced electrochemical CO2 reduction to multi-carbon products

Abstract Copper-based electrodes have been widely employed as primary materials in electrochemical CO 2 reduction studies due to their diverse product spectrum and high catalytic efficiency. In this work, we selected a Pt-deposited Cu electrode system and employed laser ablation to precisely tune the electrode interface. This interface engineering facilitated a detailed investigation of the complex relationships influencing product formation. The reduction products included gaseous species such as H 2 , CO, CH 4 , and hydrocarbons beyond C 2 , as well as liquid products including ethanol, acetic acid, propanol, isopropanol, acetaldehyde, and glycolaldehyde. These products were systematically studied by finely adjusting the electrode surface via laser treatment, allowing exploration of both oxygenated and non-oxygenated C–C coupling pathways. Additionally, we conducted an in-depth analysis of electrochemical Fischer–Tropsch synthesis mechanisms at the engineered Pt/Cu interface. Ultimately, the interface-controlled Pt/Cu system exhibited unique product distributions, which provide important insights for the development of highly efficient alloy-type electrodes.