Work

Tuning the activity and selectivity of CuPt/C catalysts for the electrochemical CO2 reduction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Copper-based bimetallic catalysts have attracted particular attention for CO2 electrochemical conversion due to the ability of this metal to catalytically reduce CO2 to hydrocarbons and alcohols. Herein, a set of Pt-surface enriched CuPt nanoparticles supported on carbon with different Cu:Pt atomic ratios are successfully synthesised by galvanostatic displacement. The progressive incorporation of platinum on Cu/C nanoparticles significantly impacts the CO2 electro-reduction performance in a 0.1 M KHCO3 solution. The results revealed that Cu:Pt atomic ratios of 99:1 and 95:5 enhance formate production at mild potentials (-0.6 V vs. RHE) due to the higher proton availability near active sites than monometallic Cu/C. Significant *CO coverage at CuPt nanoparticles results in limited formate production at lower Cu:Pt atomic ratios or larger overpotentials. These findings demonstrate that Pt enrichment at the surface of Cu-based catalysts can effectively alter the CO2 reduction mechanism, which can guide the design of new catalysts for selective formate production.

Source: Journal of CO2 Utilization

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2025.103084