Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethylene over ZrO2/Cu-Cu2O catalysts in aqueous electrolytes. Issue 4 (28th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Pan-Pan; He, Zhen-Hong; Yang, Shao-Yan; Wang, Weitao; Wang, Kuan; Li, Cui-Cui; Wei, Yuan-Yuan; Liu, Zhao-Tie; Han, Buxing
• Is Part Of: Green chemistry. Volume 24:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 1527
• Page End: 1533
• Publication Date: 2022-01-28
• Subjects: Environmental chemistry -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1039/d1gc04284j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9262

Abstract

Abstract : A Cu–Zr bimetallic catalyst could achieve CO2 RR to ethylene in aqueous electrolytes via the interface between Cu and Zr species. Abstract : The conversion of CO2 to C2 H4, especially via the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR), is one of the promising approaches for utilizing CO2 and producing important light olefins. Developing efficient catalysts is the key to realizing this conversion. In the present work, we have prepared several Cu–Zr bimetallic catalysts and assessed their performances in the CO2 RR to C2 H4 using an H-type cell. Among the prepared catalysts, the bimetallic Cu–Zr catalyst (denoted as ZrO2 /Cu-Cu2 O) with a Cu/Zr molar ratio of 7/1 could achieve a 62.5% faradaic efficiency of ethene (FEC2 H4 ) with a high current density of 24 mA cm −2 at −1.28 V ( vs. RHE) in 0.1 M KCl electrolyte. Characterization results indicated that the catalyst comprises ZrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) supported on Cu-Cu2 O NPs. The in situ Raman tests showed that a *COOH intermediate was involved during the reaction. DFT calculation further confirmed that the *COOH intermediate was favorably generated on Zr sites, which could be transferred to the adjacent Cu + sites to couple and form *OCCO (or 2*CHO) dimers at the interface between Cu and Zr species. The dimer was further reduced to C2 H4 under the given conditions. The cooperation of the two components and interfaces resulted in the outstanding performance of the catalyst. We believe that the method to construct multicomponent interfaces to enhance FE and activity can also be used to design some other efficient catalysts for the CO2 RR.