Amorphizing of Cu Nanoparticles toward Highly Efficient and Robust Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction to Liquid Fuels with High Faradaic Efficiencies

Abstract

Conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into valuable chemicals, especially liquid fuels, through electrochemical reduction driven by sustainable energy sources, is a promising way to get rid of dependence on fossil fuels, wherein developing of highly efficient catalyst is still of paramount importance. In this study, as a proof-of-concept experiment, first a facile while very effective protocol is proposed to synthesize amorphous Cu NPs. Unexpectedly, superior electrochemical performances, including high catalytic activity and selectivity of CO₂ reduction to liquid fuels are achieved, that is, a total Faradaic efficiency of liquid fuels can sum up to the maximum value of 59% at −1.4 V, with formic acid (HCOOH) and ethanol (C₂H₆O) account for 37% and 22%, respectively, as well as a desirable long-term stability even up to 12 h. More importantly, this work opens a new avenue for improved electroreduction of CO₂ based on amorphous metal catalysts.

An amorphous Cu catalyst displays superior catalytic activity toward electroreduction of CO₂ with a remarkable selectivity for the reduction to liquid fuels (HCOOH andC₂H₆O) relative to a crystalline Cu catalyst.

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