Orientation‐Entropy‐Mediated Derivative Cu Sites for Selective CO <sub>2</sub> Electroreduction to Ethylene

ABSTRACT Electrocatalytic conversion of CO 2 to ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) provides a sustainable route for decarbonized chemical manufacturing. Cu‐based catalysts are uniquely capable of driving the C−C coupling essential for C 2 H 4 formation, yet their practical implementation is limited by uncontrollable dynamic reconstruction that deteriorates both selectivity and stability. Here, we develop an orientation‐entropy‐mediated regulation strategy to programmatically direct the structural evolution of Cu 2 O toward highly active sites for C 2 H 4 electrosynthesis. Remarkably, the medium‐entropy Cu 2 O catalyst achieves a high C 2 H 4 Faradaic efficiency of ∼75% at an industrial‐level current density of 400 mA cm −2 and operates stably for over 80 h. Operando spectroscopy combined with experimental analysis reveals that entropy‐regulated Cu sites establish an optimized kinetic balance between C−C coupling and competing *CO hydrogenation, thereby promoting the energetically preferred formation of the key *CO−*COH intermediate. Preliminary techno‐economic analysis projects an additional profit of $566 per ton of C 2 H 4 , and life‐cycle assessment demonstrates an overall ∼42% reduction in environmental impact compared to conventional production routes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2026-05-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.7848056
Primary Topic
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Orientation‐Entropy‐Mediated Derivative Cu Sites for Selective CO 2 Electroreduction to Ethylene

Shucong Zhang, Dawei Shang, Bingzheng Wu, Shenlong Zhao et al.
Angewandte Chemie
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
article

Orientation‐Entropy‐Mediated Derivative Cu Sites for Selective CO 2 Electroreduction to Ethylene

Shucong Zhang, Dawei Shang, Bingzheng Wu, Shenlong Zhao, Shengwei Zhang, Piaoping Yang, Zhenwei Tong, Rihua Xiong, Xinshuo Shi, Jiali Zhou, Lei Shi, Jing Ma, Tong Yu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Electrocatalytic conversion of CO 2 to ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) provides a sustainable route for decarbonized chemical manufacturing. Cu‐based catalysts are uniquely capable of driving the C−C coupling essential for C 2 H 4 formation, yet their practical implementation is limited by uncontrollable dynamic reconstruction that deteriorates both selectivity and stability. Here, we develop an orientation‐entropy‐mediated regulation strategy to programmatically direct the structural evolution of Cu 2 O toward highly active sites for C 2 H 4 electrosynthesis. Remarkably, the medium‐entropy Cu 2 O catalyst achieves a high C 2 H 4 Faradaic efficiency of ∼75% at an industrial‐level current density of 400 mA cm −2 and operates stably for over 80 h. Operando spectroscopy combined with experimental analysis reveals that entropy‐regulated Cu sites establish an optimized kinetic balance between C−C coupling and competing *CO hydrogenation, thereby promoting the energetically preferred formation of the key *CO−*COH intermediate. Preliminary techno‐economic analysis projects an additional profit of $566 per ton of C 2 H 4 , and life‐cycle assessment demonstrates an overall ∼42% reduction in environmental impact compared to conventional production routes.

Angewandte Chemie
National Institute of Clean and Low-Carbon Energy (CN), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), University of Delaware (US)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
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