Enhanced electrochemical CO2 reduction to ethylene over CuO by synergistically tuning oxygen vacancies and metal doping
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Electrochemical CO2 reduction to multi-carbon fuels and chemicals is intriguing but remains a challenge. Here, we report that a combination of Sn doping and creation of oxygen vacancies (VO) can synergistically boost CO2 reduction to C2H4 over CuO nanosheets with an onset potential of −0.7 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode). The activity and selectivity of CuO can be easily tuned by manipulation of Sn dopant and VO contents. The Faradaic efficiency toward C2H4 formation over Sn-doped CuO(VO) approaches 48.5% ± 1.2%, which maintains stability over 24 h at a mild overpotential, in contrast to a maximum of 26.8% ± 2.2% over pristine CuO. The Sn-doped CuO(VO) catalyst presents an approximately 2.3-fold improvement in C2H4 current compared to undoped CuO at similar overpotentials. Theoretical calculations further show that doping of Vo-enriched CuO surface by Sn lowers the dimerization energy of adsorbed CO intermediate, thereby promoting C–C coupling to yield C2H4.
Source: Cell Reports Physical Science
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,200
Funders: National Research Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Research Foundation of Korea, Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, State Key Laboratory of Organic–Inorganic Composites, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences
OpenAlex ID: W3130031214