Atomic-scale surface restructuring of copper electrodes under CO2 electroreduction conditions

Abstract Potentiodynamic methods that induce structural changes in Cu catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 (CO 2 RR) have been identified as a promising strategy for steering the catalyst selectivity towards the generation of multi-carbon products. In current approaches, active species are created via a sequential Cu oxidation–reduction process. Here we show by in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy, surface X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy measurements that low-coordinated Cu surface species form spontaneously near the onset of CO 2 electrocatalytic reduction. This process starts by CO-induced Cu nanocluster formation in the initial stages of the reaction, leading to irreversible…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: 327886311, SPP 2080
• IM
  International Max Planck Research School for Advanced Methods in Process and Systems Engineering