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Zn–Cu Alloy Nanofoams as Efficient Catalysts for the Reduction of CO 2 to Syngas Mixtures with a Potential‐Independent H 2 /CO Ratio
Author(s) -
Lamaison Sarah,
Wakerley David,
Montero David,
Rousse Gwenaëlle,
Taverna Dario,
Giaume Domitille,
Mercier Dimitri,
Blanchard Juliette,
Tran Huan Ngoc,
Fontecave Marc,
Mougel Victor
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201802287
Subject(s) - syngas , electrocatalyst , alloy , catalysis , chemical engineering , materials science , selectivity , metal , porosity , chemistry , electrode , metallurgy , electrochemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
Abstract Alloying strategies are commonly used to design electrocatalysts that take on properties of their constituent elements. Herein, such a strategy is used to develop Zn–Cu alloyed electrodes with unique hierarchical porosity and tunable selectivity for CO 2 versus H + reduction. By varying the Zn/Cu ratio, tailored syngas mixtures are obtained without the production of other gaseous products, which is attributed to preferential CO‐ and H 2 ‐forming pathways on the alloys. The syngas ratios are also significantly less sensitive to the applied potential in the alloys relative to pure metal equivalents; an essential quality when coupling electrocatalysis with renewable power sources that have fluctuating intensity. As such, industrially relevant syngas ratios are achieved at large currents (−60 mA) for extensive operating times (>9 h), demonstrating the potential of this strategy for fossil‐free fuel production.