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Selective CO 2 Electroreduction to Ethylene and Multicarbon Alcohols via Electrolyte‐Driven Nanostructuring
Author(s) -
Gao Dunfeng,
Sinev Ilya,
Scholten Fabian,
AránAis Rosa M.,
Divins Nuria J.,
Kvashnina Kristina,
Timoshenko Janis,
Roldan Cuenya Beatriz
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201910155
Subject(s) - catalysis , faraday efficiency , electrochemistry , electrolyte , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , inorganic chemistry , selectivity , adsorption , ethylene , halide , materials science , aqueous solution , chemistry , chemical engineering , electrode , organic chemistry , engineering
Production of multicarbon products (C 2+ ) from CO 2 electroreduction reaction (CO 2 RR) is highly desirable for storing renewable energy and reducing carbon emission. The electrochemical synthesis of CO 2 RR catalysts that are highly selective for C 2+ products via electrolyte‐driven nanostructuring is presented. Nanostructured Cu catalysts synthesized in the presence of specific anions selectively convert CO 2 into ethylene and multicarbon alcohols in aqueous 0.1 m KHCO 3 solution, with the iodine‐modified catalyst displaying the highest Faradaic efficiency of 80 % and a partial geometric current density of ca. 31.2 mA cm −2 for C 2+ products at −0.9 V vs. RHE. Operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed that the high C 2+ selectivity of these nanostructured Cu catalysts can be attributed to the highly roughened surface morphology induced by the synthesis, presence of subsurface oxygen and Cu + species, and the adsorbed halides.