Work

Precursor-Directed Thermal Synthesis of Copper Catalysts for Tunable CO2 to CH4 and C2H4 Conversion at Industrial Current Densities

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Scalable copper catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction have been prepared through precursor-directed thermal synthesis, enabling tunable conversion to CH4 and C2H4 at industrial current densities. Thermal treatment of distinct copper precursor salts was found to yield nanostructured catalysts with composition- and morphology-dependent selectivity, and high Faradaic efficiencies under flow conditions. This simple, low-cost process demonstrates that precursor chemistry can control active phase formation and product distribution, providing a practical route toward scalable CO2 electroreduction.

Source: Nanomaterials

DOI: 10.3390/nano16060386

Authors: Hunter B. Vibbert, Luqman Azhari, Nathan Rafisiman, Emma Olson, Bing Tan, Nicholas G. Pavlopoulos

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896