1
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Liu S, Li Y, Wang D, Xi S, Xu H, Wang Y, Li X, Zang W, Liu W, Su M, Yan K, Nielander AC, Wong AB, Lu J, Jaramillo TF, Wang L, Canepa P, He Q. Alkali cation-induced cathodic corrosion in Cu electrocatalysts. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5080. [PMID: 38871724 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The reconstruction of Cu catalysts during electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a widely known but poorly understood phenomenon. Herein, we examine the structural evolution of Cu nanocubes under CO2 reduction reaction and its relevant reaction conditions using identical location transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, in situ X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. Our results suggest that Cu catalysts reconstruct via a hitherto unexplored yet critical pathway - alkali cation-induced cathodic corrosion, when the electrode potential is more negative than an onset value (e.g., -0.4 VRHE when using 0.1 M KHCO3). Having alkali cations in the electrolyte is critical for such a process. Consequently, Cu catalysts will inevitably undergo surface reconstructions during a typical process of CO2 reduction reaction, resulting in dynamic catalyst morphologies. While having these reconstructions does not necessarily preclude stable electrocatalytic reactions, they will indeed prohibit long-term selectivity and activity enhancement by controlling the morphology of Cu pre-catalysts. Alternatively, by operating Cu catalysts at less negative potentials in the CO electrochemical reduction, we show that Cu nanocubes can provide a much more stable selectivity advantage over spherical Cu nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikai Liu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Yuheng Li
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road Jurong Island, Singapore, 627833, Singapore.
| | - Haoming Xu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Yulin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Xinzhe Li
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Wenjie Zang
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Weidong Liu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Mengyao Su
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Katherine Yan
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Adam C Nielander
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andrew B Wong
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore
| | - Jiong Lu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore
| | - Thomas F Jaramillo
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore.
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore.
| | - Pieremanuele Canepa
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, E5 #02-29, Singapore, 117585, Singapore.
| | - Qian He
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore, 117575, Singapore.
- Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, National University of Singapore, E8, 1 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117580, Singapore.
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2
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Wu H, Yu H, Chow YL, Webley PA, Zhang J. Toward Durable CO 2 Electroreduction with Cu-Based Catalysts via Understanding Their Deactivation Modes. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2403217. [PMID: 38845132 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The technology of CO2 electrochemical reduction (CO2ER) provides a means to convert CO2, a waste greenhouse gas, into value-added chemicals. Copper is the most studied element that is capable of catalyzing CO2ER to obtain multicarbon products, such as ethylene, ethanol, acetate, etc., at an appreciable rate. Under the operating condition of CO2ER, the catalytic performance of Cu decays because of several factors that alters the surface properties of Cu. In this review, these factors that cause the degradation of Cu-based CO2ER catalysts are categorized into generalized deactivation modes, that are applicable to all electrocatalytic systems. The fundamental principles of each deactivation mode and the associated effects of each on Cu-based catalysts are discussed in detail. Structure- and composition-activity relationship developed from recent in situ/operando characterization studies are presented as evidence of related deactivation modes in operation. With the aim to address these deactivation modes, catalyst design and reaction environment engineering rationales are suggested. Finally, perspectives and remarks built upon the recent advances in CO2ER are provided in attempts to improve the durability of CO2ER catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiwen Wu
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Haoming Yu
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yuen-Leong Chow
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Paul A Webley
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
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3
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Zhou D, Chen C, Zhang Y, Wang M, Han S, Dong X, Yao T, Jia S, He M, Wu H, Han B. Cooperation of Different Active Sites to Promote CO 2 Electroreduction to Multi-carbon Products at Ampere-Level. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400439. [PMID: 38345401 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Electroreduction of CO2 to C2+ products provides a promising strategy for reaching the goal of carbon neutrality. However, achieving high selectivity of C2+ products at high current density remains a challenge. In this work, we designed and prepared a multi-sites catalyst, in which Pd was atomically dispersed in Cu (Pd-Cu). It was found that the Pd-Cu catalyst had excellent performance for producing C2+ products from CO2 electroreduction. The Faradaic efficiency (FE) of C2+ products could be maintained at approximately 80.8 %, even at a high current density of 0.8 A cm-2 for at least 20 hours. In addition, the FE of C2+ products was above 70 % at 1.4 A cm-2. Experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the catalyst had three distinct catalytic sites. These three active sites allowed for efficient conversion of CO2, water dissociation, and CO conversion, ultimately leading to high yields of C2+ products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Chunjun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Min Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Shitao Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xue Dong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Ting Yao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Shuaiqiang Jia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Mingyuan He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Haihong Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Buxing Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular and Process engineering, SKLPMPE, Sinopec research institute of petroleum processing Co., LTD., Beijing, 100083, China
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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4
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Hou J, Xu B, Lu Q. Influence of electric double layer rigidity on CO adsorption and electroreduction rate. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1926. [PMID: 38431637 PMCID: PMC10908862 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46318-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the structure of the electric double layer (EDL) is critical for designing efficient electrocatalytic processes. However, the interplay between reactant adsorbates and the concentrated ionic species within the EDL remains an aspect that has yet to be fully explored. In the present study, we employ electrochemical CO reduction on Cu as a model reaction to reveal the significant impact of EDL structure on CO adsorption. By altering the sequence of applying negative potential and elevating CO pressure, we discern two distinct EDL structures with varying cation density and CO coverage. Our findings demonstrate that the EDL comprising densely packed cations substantially hinders CO adsorption on the Cu as opposed to the EDL containing less compact cations. These two different EDL structures remained stable over the course of our experiments, despite their identical initial and final conditions, suggesting an insurmountable kinetic barrier present in between. Moreover, we show that the size and identity of cations play decisive roles in determining the properties of the EDL in CO electroreduction on Cu. This study presents a refined adaptation of the classical Gouy-Chapman-Stern model and highlights its catalytic importance, which bridges the mechanistic gap between the EDL structure and cathodic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajie Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.
| | - Qi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
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5
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Li J, Chen Y, Yao B, Yang W, Cui X, Liu H, Dai S, Xi S, Sun Z, Chen W, Qin Y, Wang J, He Q, Ling C, Wang D, Zhang Z. Cascade Dual Sites Modulate Local CO Coverage and Hydrogen-Binding Strength to Boost CO 2 Electroreduction to Ethylene. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5693-5701. [PMID: 38335459 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Rationally modulating the binding strength of reaction intermediates on surface sites of copper-based catalysts could facilitate C-C coupling to generate multicarbon products in an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction. Herein, theoretical calculations reveal that cascade Ag-Cu dual sites could synergistically increase local CO coverage and lower the kinetic barrier for CO protonation, leading to enhanced asymmetric C-C coupling to generate C2H4. As a proof of concept, the Cu3N-Ag nanocubes (NCs) with Ag located in partial Cu sites and a Cu3N unit center are successfully synthesized. The Faraday efficiency and partial current density of C2H4 over Cu3N-Ag NCs are 7.8 and 9.0 times those of Cu3N NCs, respectively. In situ spectroscopies combined with theoretical calculations confirm that Ag sites produce CO and Cu sites promote asymmetric C-C coupling to *COCHO, significantly enhancing the generation of C2H4. Our work provides new insights into the cascade catalysis strategy at the atomic scale for boosting CO2 to multicarbon products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Li
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Bingqing Yao
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore 117575, Singapore
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- Julong College, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Xiaoya Cui
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Huiling Liu
- Institute for New Energy Materials and Low-Carbon Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Porous Materials, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Sheng Dai
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road Jurong Island, Singapore 627833, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zhiyi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenxing Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yuchen Qin
- College of Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, P. R. China
| | - Jinlan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Qian He
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, EA #03-09, Singapore 117575, Singapore
| | - Chongyi Ling
- Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Dingsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zhicheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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6
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Cousins LS, Creissen CE. Multiscale effects in tandem CO 2 electrolysis to C 2+ products. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:3915-3925. [PMID: 38099592 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05547g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
CO2 electrolysis is a sustainable technology capable of accelerating global decarbonisation through the production of high-value alternatives to fossil-derived products. CO2 conversion can generate critical multicarbon (C2+) products such as drop-in chemicals ethylene and ethanol, however achieving high selectivity from single-component catalysts is often limited by the competitive formation of C1 products. Tandem catalysis can overcome C2+ selectivity limitations through the incorporation of a component that generates a high concentration of CO, the primary reactant involved in the C-C coupling step to form C2+ products. A wide range of approaches to promote tandem CO2 electrolysis have been presented in recent literature that span atomic-scale manipulation to device-scale engineering. Therefore, an understanding of multiscale effects that contribute to selectivity alterations are required to develop effective tandem systems. In this review, we use relevant examples to highlight the complex and interlinked contributions to selectivity and provide an outlook for future development of tandem CO2 electrolysis systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis S Cousins
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.
| | - Charles E Creissen
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.
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7
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Deng W, Zhang P, Qiao Y, Kastlunger G, Govindarajan N, Xu A, Chorkendorff I, Seger B, Gong J. Unraveling the rate-determining step of C 2+ products during electrochemical CO reduction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:892. [PMID: 38291057 PMCID: PMC10828390 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45230-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of CO has drawn a large amount of attention due to its potential to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals by using renewable energy. However, the reaction's mechanism is not yet well understood. A major debate is whether the rate-determining step for the generation of multi-carbon products is C-C coupling or CO hydrogenation. This paper conducts an experimental analysis of the rate-determining step, exploring pH dependency, kinetic isotope effects, and the impact of CO partial pressure on multi-carbon product activity. Results reveal constant multi-carbon product activity with pH or electrolyte deuteration changes, and CO partial pressure data aligns with the theoretical formula derived from *CO-*CO coupling as the rate-determining step. These findings establish the dimerization of two *CO as the rate-determining step for multi-carbon product formation. Extending the study to commercial copper nanoparticles and oxide-derived copper catalysts shows their rate-determining step also involves *CO-*CO coupling. This investigation provides vital kinetic data and a theoretical foundation for enhancing multi-carbon product production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyu Deng
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Peng Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China
| | - Yu Qiao
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Georg Kastlunger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nitish Govindarajan
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Aoni Xu
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ib Chorkendorff
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Brian Seger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Jinlong Gong
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, China.
- Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University, Binhai New City, Fuzhou, 350207, China.
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8
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Yang X, Rong C, Zhang L, Ye Z, Wei Z, Huang C, Zhang Q, Yuan Q, Zhai Y, Xuan FZ, Xu B, Zhang B, Yang X. Mechanistic insights into C-C coupling in electrochemical CO reduction using gold superlattices. Nat Commun 2024; 15:720. [PMID: 38267404 PMCID: PMC10808111 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques with high sensitivity and reproducibility is of great importance for mechanistic investigations of surface-mediated electrochemical reactions. Herein, we report the fabrication of highly ordered rhombic gold nanocube superlattices (GNSs) as substrates for surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) with significantly enhanced SEIRA effect, which can be controlled by manipulating the randomness of GNSs. Finite difference time domain simulations reveal that the electromagnetic effect accounts for the significantly improved spectroscopic vibrations on the GNSs. In situ SEIRAS results show that the vibrations of CO on the Cu2O surfaces have been enhanced by 2.4 ± 0.5 and 18.0 ± 1.3 times using GNSs as substrates compared to those on traditional chemically deposited gold films in acidic and neutral electrolytes, respectively. Combined with isotopic labeling experiments, the reaction mechanisms for C-C coupling of CO electroreduction on Cu-based catalysts are revealed using the GNSs substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoju Yang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Chao Rong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zhenkun Ye
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zhiming Wei
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Chengdi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Qiao Zhang
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Qing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yueming Zhai
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Fu-Zhen Xuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Bowei Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Xuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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9
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Chang X, Xiong H, Lu Q, Xu B. Mechanistic Implications of Low CO Coverage on Cu in the Electrochemical CO and CO 2 Reduction Reactions. JACS AU 2023; 3:2948-2963. [PMID: 38034971 PMCID: PMC10685414 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical CO or CO2 reduction reactions (CO(2)RR), powered by renewable energy, represent one of the promising strategies for upgrading CO2 to valuable products. To design efficient and selective catalysts for the CO(2)RR, a comprehensive mechanistic understanding is necessary, including a comprehensive understanding of the reaction network and the identity of kinetically relevant steps. Surface-adsorbed CO (COad) is the most commonly reported reaction intermediate in the CO(2)RR, and its surface coverage (θCO) and binding energy are proposed to be key to the catalytic performance. Recent experimental evidence sugguests that θCO on Cu electrode at electrochemical conditions is quite low (∼0.05 monolayer), while relatively high θCO is often assumed in literature mechanistic discussion. This Perspective briefly summarizes existing efforts in determining θCO on Cu surfaces, analyzes mechanistic impacts of low θCO on the reaction pathway and catalytic performance, and discusses potential fruitful future directions in advancing our understanding of the Cu-catalyzed CO(2)RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Chang
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Haocheng Xiong
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qi Lu
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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10
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Yang Z, Wen X, Guo X, Chen Y, Wei R, Gao L, Pan X, Zhang J, Xiao G. High dispersion dendritic fibrous morphology nanospheres for electrochemical CO 2 reduction to C 2H 4. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:1446-1456. [PMID: 37481782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical CO2 reduction to specific multi-carbon product on copper-based catalysts is subjected to low activity and poor selectivity. Herein, catalyst structure, morphology, and chemical component are systematically studied for bolstering the activity and selectivity of as-prepared catalyzers in this study. Dendritic fibrous nano-silica spheres favor the loading of active species and the transport of reactant from the central radial channel. Cu/DFNS with high dispersion active sites are fabricated through urea-assisted precipitation way. The coexistence of Cu(I)/Cu(II) induces a close combination of Cu active sites and CO2 on the Cu/DFNS interface, promoting the CO2 activation and CC coupling. The Cu-O-Si interface (Cu phyllosilicate) can improve CO2 and CO attachment. Cu/DFNS show the utmost Faradaic efficiency of C2H4 with a value of 53.04% at -1.2 V vs. RHE. And more importantly, in-situ ATR-SEIRAS reveals that the CC coupling is boosted for effectively producing C2H4 as a consequence of the existence of *COL, *COOH, and *COH intermediates. The mechanism reaction path of Cu/DFNS is inferred to be *CO2 → *COOH → *CO → *CO*COH → C2H4. Our findings will be helpful to gain insight into the links between morphology, texture, chemical component of catalyzers, and electrochemical reduction of CO2, providing valuable guidance in the design of more efficient catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiu Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Xiu Wen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Guo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Jiangsu Provincial Environmental Engineering Technology Co., Ltd, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Ruiping Wei
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Lijing Gao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Xiaomei Pan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Guomin Xiao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
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11
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Lee SY, Kim J, Bak G, Lee E, Kim D, Yoo S, Kim J, Yun H, Hwang YJ. Probing Cation Effects on *CO Intermediates from Electroreduction of CO 2 through Operando Raman Spectroscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:23068-23075. [PMID: 37807716 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Cations in an electrolyte modulate microenvironments near the catalyst surface and affect product distribution from an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction, and thus, their interaction with intermediate states has been tried to be probed. Herein, we directly observed the cation effect on *CO intermediates on the Cu(OH)2-derived catalyst in real time through operando surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy at high overpotentials (-1.0 VRHE). Atop *CO peaks are composed of low-frequency binding *CO (*COLFB) and high-frequency binding *CO (*COHFB) because of their adsorption sites. These two *CO intermediates are found to have different sensitivities to the cation-induced field, and each *CO is proposed to be suitably stabilized for efficient C-C coupling. The proportions between *COHFB and *COLFB are dependent on the type of alkali cations, and the increases in the *COHFB ratio have a high correlation with selective C2H4 production under K+ and Cs+, indicating that *COHFB is the dominant and fast active species. In addition, as the hydrated cation size decreases, *COLFB is more sensitively red-shifted than *COHFB, which promotes C-C coupling and suppresses C1 products. Through time-resolved operando measurements, dynamic changes between the two *CO species are observed, showing the rapid initial adsorption of *COHFB and subsequently reaching a steady ratio between *COLFB and *COHFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Young Lee
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwangsu Bak
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunchong Lee
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhwan Yoo
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei-KIST Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Yun
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Jeong Hwang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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12
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Ling N, Zhang J, Wang M, Wang Z, Mi Z, Bin Dolmanan S, Zhang M, Wang B, Ru Leow W, Zhang J, Lum Y. Acidic Media Impedes Tandem Catalysis Reaction Pathways in Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202308782. [PMID: 37522609 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202308782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2 R) in acidic media with Cu-based catalysts tends to suffer from lowered selectivity towards multicarbon products. This could in principle be mitigated using tandem catalysis, whereby the *CO coverage on Cu is increased by introducing a CO generating catalyst (e.g. Ag) in close proximity. Although this has seen significant success in neutral/alkaline media, here we report that such a strategy becomes impeded in acidic electrolyte. This was investigated through the co-reduction of 13 CO2 /12 CO mixtures using a series of Cu and CuAg catalysts. These experiments provide strong evidence for the occurrence of tandem catalysis in neutral media and its curtailment under acidic conditions. Density functional theory simulations suggest that the presence of H3 O+ weakens the *CO binding energy of Cu, preventing effective utilization of tandem-supplied CO. Our findings also provide other unanticipated insights into the tandem catalysis reaction pathway and important design considerations for effective CO2 R in acidic media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ling
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jiguang Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Republic of Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Republic of Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
- Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, #16-16 Connexis, Singapore, 138632, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Ziyu Mi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Singapore, 627833, Republic of Singapore
| | - Surani Bin Dolmanan
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Mingsheng Zhang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Bingqing Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Republic of Singapore
| | - Wan Ru Leow
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Pesek Road, Singapore, 627833, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jia Zhang
- Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, #16-16 Connexis, Singapore, 138632, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yanwei Lum
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585, Republic of Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Republic of Singapore
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13
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Niu W, Chen Z, Guo W, Mao W, Liu Y, Guo Y, Chen J, Huang R, Kang L, Ma Y, Yan Q, Ye J, Cui C, Zhang L, Wang P, Xu X, Zhang B. Pb-rich Cu grain boundary sites for selective CO-to-n-propanol electroconversion. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4882. [PMID: 37573371 PMCID: PMC10423280 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40689-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical carbon monoxide (CO) reduction to high-energy-density fuels provides a potential way for chemical production and intermittent energy storage. As a valuable C3 species, n-propanol still suffers from a relatively low Faradaic efficiency (FE), sluggish conversion rate and poor stability. Herein, we introduce an "atomic size misfit" strategy to modulate active sites, and report a facile synthesis of a Pb-doped Cu catalyst with numerous atomic Pb-concentrated grain boundaries. Operando spectroscopy studies demonstrate that these Pb-rich Cu-grain boundary sites exhibit stable low coordination and can achieve a stronger CO adsorption for a higher surface CO coverage. Using this Pb-Cu catalyst, we achieve a CO-to-n-propanol FE (FEpropanol) of 47 ± 3% and a half-cell energy conversion efficiency (EE) of 25% in a flow cell. When applied in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) device, a stable FEpropanol above 30% and the corresponding full-cell EE of over 16% are maintained for over 100 h with the n-propanol partial current above 300 mA (5 cm2 electrode). Furthermore, operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and theoretical studies reveal that the structurally-flexible Pb-Cu surface can adaptively stabilize the key intermediates, which strengthens the *CO binding while maintaining the C-C coupling ability, thus promoting the CO-to-n-propanol conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhe Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wei Mao
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yunna Guo
- Clean Nano Energy Center, State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China
| | - Jingzhao Chen
- Clean Nano Energy Center, State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China
| | - Rui Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Lin Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yiwen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Qisheng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jinyu Ye
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Chunyu Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Liqiang Zhang
- Clean Nano Energy Center, State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China
| | - Peng Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei, 230088, China.
| | - Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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14
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Qu J, Cao X, Gao L, Li J, Li L, Xie Y, Zhao Y, Zhang J, Wu M, Liu H. Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Ethylene: From Mechanistic Understanding to Catalyst Surface Engineering. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:178. [PMID: 37433948 PMCID: PMC10336000 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) provides a promising way to convert CO2 to chemicals. The multicarbon (C2+) products, especially ethylene, are of great interest due to their versatile industrial applications. However, selectively reducing CO2 to ethylene is still challenging as the additional energy required for the C-C coupling step results in large overpotential and many competing products. Nonetheless, mechanistic understanding of the key steps and preferred reaction pathways/conditions, as well as rational design of novel catalysts for ethylene production have been regarded as promising approaches to achieving the highly efficient and selective CO2RR. In this review, we first illustrate the key steps for CO2RR to ethylene (e.g., CO2 adsorption/activation, formation of *CO intermediate, C-C coupling step), offering mechanistic understanding of CO2RR conversion to ethylene. Then the alternative reaction pathways and conditions for the formation of ethylene and competitive products (C1 and other C2+ products) are investigated, guiding the further design and development of preferred conditions for ethylene generation. Engineering strategies of Cu-based catalysts for CO2RR-ethylene are further summarized, and the correlations of reaction mechanism/pathways, engineering strategies and selectivity are elaborated. Finally, major challenges and perspectives in the research area of CO2RR are proposed for future development and practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Qu
- Joint International Laboratory on Environmental and Energy Frontier Materials, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianjun Cao
- Joint International Laboratory on Environmental and Energy Frontier Materials, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Gao
- Joint International Laboratory on Environmental and Energy Frontier Materials, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayi Li
- Joint International Laboratory on Environmental and Energy Frontier Materials, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Li
- Joint International Laboratory on Environmental and Energy Frontier Materials, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Xie
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Yufei Zhao
- Joint International Laboratory on Environmental and Energy Frontier Materials, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A4, Canada.
| | - Minghong Wu
- Joint International Laboratory on Environmental and Energy Frontier Materials, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hao Liu
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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15
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Yanagi R, Zhao T, Cheng M, Liu B, Su H, He C, Heinlein J, Mukhopadhyay S, Tan H, Solanki D, Hu S. Photocatalytic CO 2 Reduction with Dissolved Carbonates and Near-Zero CO 2(aq) by Employing Long-Range Proton Transport. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37399530 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2R) in ∼0 mM CO2(aq) concentration is challenging but is relevant for capturing CO2 and achieving a circular carbon economy. Despite recent advances, the interplay between the CO2 catalytic reduction and the oxidative redox processes that are arranged on photocatalyst surfaces with nanometer-scale distances is less studied. Specifically, mechanistic investigation on interdependent processes, including CO2 adsorption, charge separation, long-range chemical transport (∼100 nm distance), and bicarbonate buffer speciation, involved in photocatalysis is urgently needed. Photocatalytic CO2R in ∼0 mM CO2(aq), which has important applications in integrated carbon capture and utilization (CCU), has rarely been studied. Using 0.1 M KHCO3 (aq) of pH 7 but without continuously bubbling CO2, we achieved ∼0.1% solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency for CO production using Ag@CrOx nanoparticles that are supported on a coating-protected GaInP2 photocatalytic panel. CO is produced at ∼100% selectivity with no detectable H2, even with copious protons co-generated nearby. CO2 flux to the Ag@CrOx CO2R sites enhances CO2 adsorption, probed by in situ Raman spectroscopy. CO is produced with local protonation of dissolved inorganic carbon species in a pH as high as 11.5 when using fast electron donors such as ethanol. Isotopic labeling using KH13CO3 was used to confirm the origin of CO from the bicarbonate solution. We then employed COMSOL Multiphysics modeling to simulate the spatial and temporal pH variation and the local concentrations of bicarbonates and CO2(aq). We found that light-driven CO2R and CO2 reactive transport are mutually dependent, which is important for further understanding and manipulating CO2R activity and selectivity. This study enables direct bicarbonate utilization as the source of CO2, thereby achieving CO2 capture and conversion without purifying and feeding gaseous CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rito Yanagi
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Tianshuo Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Matthew Cheng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Haoqing Su
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Chengxing He
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Jake Heinlein
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Shomeek Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Devan Solanki
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
| | - Shu Hu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
- Energy Sciences Institute, Yale West Campus, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, United States
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16
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Wu Q, Du R, Wang P, Waterhouse GIN, Li J, Qiu Y, Yan K, Zhao Y, Zhao WW, Tsai HJ, Chen MC, Hung SF, Wang X, Chen G. Nanograin-Boundary-Abundant Cu 2O-Cu Nanocubes with High C 2+ Selectivity and Good Stability during Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction at a Current Density of 500 mA/cm 2. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37339159 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Surface and interface engineering, especially the creation of abundant Cu0/Cu+ interfaces and nanograin boundaries, is known to facilitate C2+ production during electrochemical CO2 reductions over copper-based catalysts. However, precisely controlling the favorable nanograin boundaries with surface structures (e.g., Cu(100) facets and Cu[n(100)×(110)] step sites) and simultaneously stabilizing Cu0/Cu+ interfaces is challenging, since Cu+ species are highly susceptible to be reduced into bulk metallic Cu at high current densities. Thus, an in-depth understanding of the structure evolution of the Cu-based catalysts under realistic CO2RR conditions is imperative, including the formation and stabilization of nanograin boundaries and Cu0/Cu+ interfaces. Herein we demonstrate that the well-controlled thermal reduction of Cu2O nanocubes under a CO atmosphere yields a remarkably stable Cu2O-Cu nanocube hybrid catalyst (Cu2O(CO)) possessing a high density of Cu0/Cu+ interfaces, abundant nanograin boundaries with Cu(100) facets, and Cu[n(100)×(110)] step sites. The Cu2O(CO) electrocatalyst delivered a high C2+ Faradaic efficiency of 77.4% (56.6% for ethylene) during the CO2RR under an industrial current density of 500 mA/cm2. Spectroscopic characterizations and morphological evolution studies, together with in situ time-resolved attenuated total reflection-surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) studies, established that the morphology and Cu0/Cu+ interfacial sites in the as-prepared Cu2O(CO) catalyst were preserved under high polarization and high current densities due to the nanograin-boundary-abundant structure. Furthermore, the abundant Cu0/Cu+ interfacial sites on the Cu2O(CO) catalyst acted to increase the *CO adsorption density, thereby increasing the opportunity for C-C coupling reactions, leading to a high C2+ selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Wu
- School of Environment and Energy, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruian Du
- School of Environment and Energy, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Environment and Energy, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Jia Li
- School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongcai Qiu
- School of Environment and Energy, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyou Yan
- School of Environment and Energy, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Zhao
- School of Environment and Energy, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Hsin-Jung Tsai
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Cheng Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Fu Hung
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Xue Wang
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangxu Chen
- School of Environment and Energy, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
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17
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da Silva AHM, Lenne Q, Vos RE, Koper MTM. Competition of CO and Acetaldehyde Adsorption and Reduction on Copper Electrodes and Its Impact on n-Propanol Formation. ACS Catal 2023; 13:4339-4347. [PMID: 37066043 PMCID: PMC10088027 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Selective synthesis of n-propanol from electrocatalytic CO2/CO reduction on copper remains challenging and the impact of the local interfacial effects on the production of n-propanol is not yet fully understood. Here, we investigate the competition between CO and acetaldehyde adsorption and reduction on copper electrodes and how it affects the n-propanol formation. We show that n-propanol formation can be effectively enhanced by modulating the CO partial pressure or acetaldehyde concentration in solution. Upon successive additions of acetaldehyde in CO-saturated phosphate buffer electrolytes, n-propanol formation was increased. Oppositely, n-propanol formation was the most active at lower CO flow rates in a 50 mM acetaldehyde phosphate buffer electrolyte. In a conventional carbon monoxide reduction reaction (CORR) test in KOH, we show that, in the absence of acetaldehyde in solution, an optimum ratio of n-propanol/ethylene formation is found at intermediate CO partial pressure. From these observations, we can assume that the highest n-propanol formation rate from CO2RR is reached when a suitable ratio of CO and acetaldehyde intermediates is adsorbed. An optimum ratio was also found for n-propanol/ethanol formation but with a clear decrease in the formation rate for ethanol at this optimum, while the n-propanol formation rate was the highest. As this trend was not observed for ethylene formation, this finding suggests that adsorbed methylcarbonyl (adsorbed dehydrogenated acetaldehyde) is an intermediate for the formation of ethanol and n-propanol but not for ethylene. Finally, this work may explain why it is challenging to reach high faradaic efficiencies for n-propanol, as CO and the intermediates for n-propanol synthesis (like adsorbed methylcarbonyl) compete for active sites on the surface, where CO adsorption is favored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Quentin Lenne
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Rafaël E. Vos
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Marc T. M. Koper
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, The Netherlands
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Xiong H, Sun Q, Chen K, Xu Y, Chang X, Lu Q, Xu B. Correlating the Experimentally Determined CO Adsorption Enthalpy with the Electrochemical CO Reduction Performance on Cu Surfaces. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202218447. [PMID: 36655721 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202218447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
CO binding energy has been widely employed as a descriptor for effective catalysts in the electrochemical CO2 and CO reduction reactions (CO(2) RR), however, it has yet to be determined experimentally at electrochemical interfaces due to the lack of suitable techniques. In this work, we developed a method to determine the standard adsorption enthalpy of CO on Cu surfaces with quantitative surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy. On dendritic Cu at -0.75 V vs. SHE, the standard adsorption enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy were determined to 1.5±0.5 kJ mol-1 , ≈37.9±13.4 J/(mol K), and ≈-9.8±4.0 kJ mol-1 , respectively. Comparison of the standard adsorption enthalpy of oxide-derived Cu and dendritic Cu, as well as their CORR activities, suggests the presence of stronger binding sites on OD Cu, which could favor multicarbon products. The method developed in this work will help establish the correlation between the CO binding energy and the CO(2) RR activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haocheng Xiong
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qiwen Sun
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Kedang Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yifei Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bingjun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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