Binder‐Free AgNPs/CuNWs Tandem Electrocatalysis for Efficient and Durable CO ₂ ‐to‐C ₂ H ₄ Electrolysis

ABSTRACT The electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) to ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) is an ideal pathway for closing the carbon cycle. However, single Cu‐based catalysts often have an insufficient supply of CO intermediates and restricted C‐C coupling kinetics, which collectively constrain the C 2 H 4 production efficiency. Additionally, the fabrication of traditional single‐Cu‐based catalyst electrodes typically involves the use of polymer binders to enhance adhesion; however, this often results in high interfacial resistance and impedes mass transport. To address these challenges, this study presents a binder‐free AgNPs/CuNWs tandem catalyst strategy using a gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The uniformly dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) efficiently generate CO intermediates, providing high concentrations, while the adjacent copper nanowires (CuNWs) act as C‐C coupling sites, reducing the locally generated CO into C 2 H 4 . Electrochemical tests demonstrate that this tandem catalyst exhibits superior catalytic performance, achieving a C 2 H 4 Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 43% at ‐1.2 V (vs. RHE). Furthermore, the catalyst maintained excellent structural integrity and catalytic activity during a 24‐hour stability test. Comparative CO reduction reaction (CORR) experiments confirmed that the AgNPs/CuNWs system follows a tandem catalytic mechanism. This work provides new insights into designing efficient, stable, and binder‐free electrocatalysts for C 2 H 4 production.