Tuning the Selectivity of the CO <sub>2</sub> Reduction Reaction by Means of Synergistic Interactions in the Cu, Ag, Ce System

ABSTRACT Multi‐metal catalysts offer opportunities for high activity and selectivity in CO 2 electroreduction (eCO 2 RR) through multiple active sites and synergistic effects; however, achieving high current densities remains challenging. Cu x Ce y Ag z nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a modified solvothermal method, with Cu 9 Ce 9 Ag 1 identified as the optimal composition. This catalyst sustained activity up to −1 A cm −2 and delivered a partial current density of −707.2 mA cm −2 for C 2+ products at an iR‐corrected potential of −0.68 V. Ag promotes high local CO generation, while Ce modulates Cu oxidation states, optimizing Cu─O surface chemistry and *CO speciation to favor C─C coupling. In situ mass spectrometry indicated competitive proton utilization among H 2 , ethylene, and methane, with *CO dimerization governing ethylene production. Operando Raman spectroscopy revealed enhanced *CO coverage, a higher *CO atop /*CO bridge ratio, stable Cu─O species, and increased local pH on Cu 9 Ce 9 Ag 1 NPs, collectively suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction and accelerating CO 2 RR kinetics. These findings highlight the possibilities to rationally design multi‐metal catalysts to maximize synergetic effects, enabling high C 2+ selectivity at industrially relevant current densities.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-03-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202523046
Primary Topic
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Tuning the Selectivity of the CO 2 Reduction Reaction by Means of Synergistic Interactions in the Cu, Ag, Ce System

Nini Zhang, Sabine Seisel, Ridha Zerdoumi, Bashir Eid et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
article

Tuning the Selectivity of the CO 2 Reduction Reaction by Means of Synergistic Interactions in the Cu, Ag, Ce System

Nini Zhang, Sabine Seisel, Ridha Zerdoumi, Bashir Eid, Thomas Quast, Muhammad Adib Abdillah Mahbub, Wangcheng Zhan, Xin Wang, Jian Zhang, Wolfgang Schuhmann
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Multi‐metal catalysts offer opportunities for high activity and selectivity in CO 2 electroreduction (eCO 2 RR) through multiple active sites and synergistic effects; however, achieving high current densities remains challenging. Cu x Ce y Ag z nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a modified solvothermal method, with Cu 9 Ce 9 Ag 1 identified as the optimal composition. This catalyst sustained activity up to −1 A cm −2 and delivered a partial current density of −707.2 mA cm −2 for C 2+ products at an iR‐corrected potential of −0.68 V. Ag promotes high local CO generation, while Ce modulates Cu oxidation states, optimizing Cu─O surface chemistry and *CO speciation to favor C─C coupling. In situ mass spectrometry indicated competitive proton utilization among H 2 , ethylene, and methane, with *CO dimerization governing ethylene production. Operando Raman spectroscopy revealed enhanced *CO coverage, a higher *CO atop /*CO bridge ratio, stable Cu─O species, and increased local pH on Cu 9 Ce 9 Ag 1 NPs, collectively suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction and accelerating CO 2 RR kinetics. These findings highlight the possibilities to rationally design multi‐metal catalysts to maximize synergetic effects, enabling high C 2+ selectivity at industrially relevant current densities.

Advanced Functional Materials
East China University of Science and Technology (CN), Ruhr University Bochum (DE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
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