Fabrication of Cu (1 0 0) facet-enhanced ionic liquid/copper hybrid catalysis via one-step electro-codeposition for CO2ER toward C2. (15th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Lili; Qin, Langlang; Wu, Haonan; Li, Xuelian; Qi, Kai; Yi, Qun; Zhang, Jiandong; Shi, Lijuan
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 322(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08-15
• Subjects: Electrochemical reduction of CO2 -- Ethylene -- High value-added multicarbon -- Ionic liquid -- Copper; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124103
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Construct ionic liquid-embedded copper electrode through one-step electro-codeposition method. Enhance Cu(1 0 0) facet with a kind of amino-ionic liquid (AFIL) as capping agent. More AFIL is immobilized by and coupled with the deposited Cu to promote CO2 ER to C2 . Reach Faradiac efficiency of C2 H4 (40.7%) at current density of 73.59 mA cm −2 in H cell. Abstract: Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2 ER) to high value-added multicarbon (C2+ ) is a viable way to promote carbon–neutral cycle. To date, copper (Cu) is reported as the most effective metal catalyst toward C2+, but it remains a challenge to achieve high selectivity and large current density. Incorporating ionic liquid in Cu-based catalysis has been proved an effective strategy, however, most reported methods are either involved too much ionic liquid (IL) as electrolyte or too complex & unstable. Herein, an ionic liquid-embedded Cu electrocatalyst (Cu-IL/GDL) was innovatively constructed through one-step electro-codeposition method, in which a kind of amino-ionic liquid, AFIL, was anchored to the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and embedded by the deposited Cu. Under the excellent synergy between Cu and AFIL, Cu-IL/GDL exhibits higher faradaic efficiency toward ethylene (C2 H4, 40.67%) and C2 (C2 H4 and C2 H5 OH, 61.39%) when directing CO2 to carbon-fiber side of electrode in H-cell. To be precise, more Cu (1 0 0) facet is stabilized by the capping effect of AFIL, being in favor for C–C coupling; meanwhile more AFIL + is embedded by the deposited Cu, making for the initiation of CO2 ER. Thus, this paper proposes a facial and effective strategy to reinforce Cu (1 0 0) facet, and couple and heighten the virtues of ionic liquid and Cu during CO2 ER toward C2 .