Manipulating C-C coupling pathway in electrochemical CO2 reduction for selective ethylene and ethanol production over single-atom alloy catalyst

Manipulation C-C coupling pathway is of great importance for selective CO2 electroreduction but remain challenging. Herein, two model Cu-based catalysts, by modifying Cu nanowires with Ag nanoparticles (AgCu NW) and Ag single atoms (Ag1Cu NW), respectively, are rationally designed for exploring the C-C coupling mechanisms in electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Compared to AgCu NW, the Ag1Cu NW exhibits a more than 10-fold increase of C2 selectivity in CO2 reduction to ethanol, with ethanol-to-ethylene ratio increased from 0.41 over AgCu NW to 4.26 over Ag1Cu NW. Via a variety of operando/in-situ techniques and theoretical calculation, the enhanced ethanol selectivity over Ag1Cu NW is attributed to…

• CU
  City University of Hong Kong
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22102176, 22388102, 21925803
• CA
  Chinese Academy of Sciences

  Awards: XDB0600200, YSBR-051
• NS
  National Science and Technology Council

  Award: 110-2112-M-213-019-MY3
• DI
  Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics

  Award: 121421ZYLH20230008
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2021YFA1500502