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AuCu Alloy Nanoparticle Embedded Cu Submicrocone Arrays for Selective Conversion of CO 2 to Ethanol
Author(s) -
Shen Sibo,
Peng Xianyun,
Song Lida,
Qiu Yuan,
Li Chao,
Zhuo Longchao,
He Jia,
Ren Junqiang,
Liu Xijun,
Luo Jun
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201902229
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , alloy , selectivity , faraday efficiency , nanoparticle , materials science , chemical engineering , catalysis , ethanol , nanotechnology , electrochemistry , chemistry , metallurgy , electrode , organic chemistry , engineering
The CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) driven by renewable electricity represents a promising strategy toward alleviating the energy shortage and environmental crisis facing humankind. Cu species, as one type of versatile electrocatalyst for the CO 2 RR, attract tremendous research interest. However, for C 2 products, ethanol formation is commonly less favored over Cu electrocatalysts. Herein, AuCu alloy nanoparticle embedded Cu submicrocone arrays (AuCu/Cu‐SCA) are constructed as an active, selective, and robust electrocatalyst for the CO 2 RR. Enhanced selectivity for EtOH is gained, whose Faradaic efficiency (FE) reaches 29 ± 4%, while ethylene formation is relatively inhibited (16 ± 4%) in KHCO 3 aqueous solution. The ratio between partial current densities of EtOH and C 2 H 4 ( j EtOH / j C2H4 ) can be tuned in the range from 0.15 ± 0.27 to 1.81 ± 0.55 by varying the Au content of the electrocatalysts. The combined experimental and theoretical calculation results identify the importance of Au in modifying binding energies of key intermediates, such as CH 2 CHO*, CH 3 CHO*, and CH 3 CH 2 O*, which consequently modify the activity and selectivity ( j EtOH / j C2H4 ) for the CO 2 RR. Moreover, AuCu/Cu‐SCA also shows high durability with both the current density and FE EtOH being largely maintained for 24 h electrocatalysis.