Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Copper‐Based Electrocatalysts for Converting Carbon Dioxide to Tunable Syngas. Issue 1 (7th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zeng, Juqin; Bejtka, Katarzyna; Di Martino, Gaia; Sacco, Adriano; Castellino, Micaela; Re Fiorentin, Michele; Risplendi, Francesca; Farkhondehfal, M. Amin; Hernández, Simelys; Cicero, Giancarlo; Pirri, Candido F.; Chiodoni, Angelica
• Is Part Of: ChemElectroChem. Volume 7:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 238
• Publication Date: 2020-01-07
• Subjects: carbon dioxide -- electrocatalysis -- syngas -- kinetic modeling -- density functional theory; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901730
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-0216

Abstract

Abstract: Copper (Cu)‐based materials for efficient CO2 conversion to adjustable syngas are reported. We employ an energy‐efficient microwave‐assisted route to synthesize copper/copper oxides with different structures and morphologies. The initial oxidation state of the copper on the surface significantly influences the performance of the materials in the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR). On the as‐prepared material surface, a high content of Cu2 O improves the selectivity toward CO and consequently the catalyzed CO2 RR produce a syngas with a low H2 /CO ratio, while the CuO performs poorly. In particular, Cu2 O particles with a cubic shape show the highest selectivity for the CO formation. The superior catalytic activity of the Cu2 O cubes for the CO2 RR is attributed to the surface roughening under potential, which offers abundant electrochemically active sites and facilitates mass transport. Abstract : Rough around the edges : A catalyst, composed of Cu2 O cubes, shows high activity for the syngas production through the CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions. The high activity is attributed to the enhanced electrochemically active surface area during the potential‐induced roughing. A syngas with a H2 /CO ratio of 1–2 is obtained at good production rates at relatively positive potentials. These potentials also guarantee the syngas purity, avoiding the formation of multi‐carbon gas products.