Controlling the Oxidation State of the Cu Electrode and Reaction Intermediates for Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction to Ethylene

Understanding the role of the oxidation state of the Cu surface and surface-adsorbed intermediate species in electrochemical CO2 reduction is crucial for the development of selective CO2-to-fuel electrocatalysts. In this study, the electrochemical CO2 reduction mechanism over the Cu catalysts with various oxidation states was studied by using in situ surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS), in situ soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (Cu L-edge), and online gas chromatography measurements. The atop-adsorbed CO (COatop) intermediate is obtained on the electrodeposited Cu surface which primarily has the oxidation state of Cu(I). COatop is further reduced, followed by the formation of C1 product…

• MO
  Ministry of Education

  Award: 108L9008
• MO
  Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan

  Award: 107-2113-M-002 -014 -MY2