Overlaid Conductive Silver Nanowire Networks on Gas Diffusion Electrodes for High‐Performance Electrochemical CO 2 ‐to‐C 2+ Conversion
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Designing selective and durable electrodes for the electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (eCO 2 RR) requires both efficient charge transport and favorable catalytic interfaces. Conventional carbon‐based gas diffusion electrodes are unstable due to electrolyte flooding, whereas flood‐resistant polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrates exhibit low electrical conductivity. Herein, a stacked‐electrode architecture is reported to overcome these limitations, comprising PTFE as a porous substrate, Cu 2 O nanocubes as a catalyst layer, and Ag nanowire (Ag NW) networks as a current collector. The catalytic performance is highly dependent on the stacking sequence, with the PTFE/Cu 2 O/Ag configuration achieving remarkable C 2+ selectivity and durability while exhibiting electrical resistance comparable to that of carbon paper. In alkaline electrolytes, this configuration exhibits a Faradaic efficiency toward C 2+ (FE C2+ ) of 79% and stable operation for more than 50 h, significantly outperforming conventional carbon paper‐based electrodes. Mechanistic studies reveal that the Ag NW networks not only ensure the coexistence of Cu(0)/Cu(I) species but also generate CO to drive tandem reactions, promoting C 2+ production. Furthermore, it reaches an even higher FE C2+ of 86% while maintaining long‐term stability under neutral electrolytes. These findings provide a versatile strategy for the rational design of durable and selective electrodes for eCO 2 RR.
Source: Advanced Science
DOI: 10.1002/advs.75003
Institution: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,730
Award: G687698552
OpenAlex ID: W7140223319