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Selective Electroreduction of CO 2 toward Ethylene on Nano Dendritic Copper Catalysts at High Current Density
Author(s) -
Reller Christian,
Krause Ralf,
Volkova Elena,
Schmid Bernhard,
Neubauer Sebastian,
Rucki Andreas,
Schuster Manfred,
Schmid Günter
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201602114
Subject(s) - materials science , electrocatalyst , catalysis , copper , electrolyte , scanning electron microscope , transmission electron microscopy , electrode , ethylene , chemical engineering , faraday efficiency , characterization (materials science) , current density , high resolution transmission electron microscopy , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , electrochemistry , metallurgy , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
In situ deposited copper nanodendrites are herein proven to be a highly selective electrocatalyst which is capable of reducing CO 2 to ethylene by reaching a Faradaic efficiency of 57% at a current density of 170 mA cm −2 . It is found that the desired structures are formed in situ under acidic pH conditions at high electrode potentials more negative than −2 V versus Ag/AgCl. Detailed investigations on the preparation, characterization, and advancement of electrode materials and of the electrolyte have been performed. Catalyst degradation effects are intensively followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) characterization methods and found to be a major root course for selectivity losses.