Assessment of the Degradation Mechanisms of Cu Electrodes during the CO 2 Reduction Reaction
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Catalyst degradation and product selectivity changes are two of the key challenges in the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 on copper electrodes. Yet, these aspects are often overlooked. Here, we combine in situ X-ray spectroscopy, in situ electron microscopy, and ex situ characterization techniques to follow the long-term evolution of the catalyst morphology, electronic structure, surface composition, activity, and product selectivity of Cu nanosized crystals during the CO 2 reduction reaction. We found no changes in the electronic structure of the electrode under cathodic potentiostatic control over time, nor was there any build-up of contaminants. In contrast, the electrode morphology is modified by prolonged CO 2 electroreduction, which transforms the initially faceted Cu particles into a rough/rounded structure. In conjunction with these morphological changes, the current increases and the selectivity changes from value-added hydrocarbons to less valuable side reaction products, i.e., hydrogen and CO. Hence, our results suggest that the stabilization of a faceted Cu morphology is pivotal for ensuring optimal long-term performance in the selective reduction of CO 2 into hydrocarbons and oxygenated products.
Institutions: Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Tamkang University, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Salford, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, ALBA Synchrotron (Spain)
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,000
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, National Nuclear Security Administration, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Los Alamos National Laboratory, H2020 European Research Council
Awards: G1017065088, EXC 2089: econversion, G1279347439, EXC 2008: Unifying Systems in Catalysis "UniSysCat", G1589587976, G1701477338, G2475600967, G258225891, G2685071433, G2812494346, Verbundvorhaben CO2EKAT: Elektrokatalysatorsystem für stoffliche Energiespeicherung durch gekoppelte Wasserelektrolyse und CO2-Umwandlung, G3478363816, G3764765484, G43821199, G4500784683, G4613448559, G5175362075, G6173488231, G6384401201, G6410514744, G7099096105, Surface Analysis and Interface Modification of Graphene in the Aqueous Environment, G8136362559, G8824892842
OpenAlex ID: W4380729916