Efficient electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into ethylene boosted by copper vacancies on stepped cuprous oxide. Issue 38 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ren, Xiaona; Zhang, Xiangwen; Cao, Xingzhong; Wang, Qingfa
• Is Part Of: Journal of CO₂ utilization. Issue 38(2020)
• Page Start: 125
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide electroreduction -- Copper vacancies -- Ethylene -- Cuprous oxide -- Overpotential; Carbon dioxide -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide mitigation -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide -- Environmental aspects; Carbon dioxide mitigation; Periodicals; 628.53205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2020.01.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2212-9820

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Stepped cuprous oxide with abundant Cu vacancies was developed. High C2 H4 partial current density and production rate are achieved. Cu vacancies tune the electronic structure and enhance the electrochemical activity. DFT calculations reveal that Cu vacancy facilitates the adsorption of *COH and weakens the binding of *CO and *CH2 . Abstract: Electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2 ) reduction powered by renewable energy source is a promising strategy for the sustainable carbon cycle, while the selectivity toward C2+ products is still a great challenge. Herein, a novel stepped cuprous oxide catalyst with abundant Cu vacancies (Cuv -Cu2 O catalyst) is developed to enhance the selectivity and efficiency of CO2 conversion toward C2 products. This catalyst exhibits high C2 H4 partial current density and production rate at a low overpotential benefiting from the stepped surface and the modified electronic structure by Cu vacancies. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the Cu vacancy-enriched Cu2 O surface ensures strong adsorption to *COH but weak affinities to *CO and *CH2 intermediates, which promotes CO2 electroreduction to C2 H4 products. The enhanced selectivity of C2 H4, accompanied with the Cu vacancies and Cu + species, can remain stable during the long-term test. This study will provide guidance on designing efficient electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction towards hydrocarbon products.