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Li H, Wei P, Liu T, Li M, Wang C, Li R, Ye J, Zhou ZY, Sun SG, Fu Q, Gao D, Wang G, Bao X. CO electrolysis to multicarbon products over grain boundary-rich Cu nanoparticles in membrane electrode assembly electrolyzers. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4603. [PMID: 38816404 PMCID: PMC11139892 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49095-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Producing valuable chemicals like ethylene via catalytic carbon monoxide conversion is an important nonpetroleum route. Here we demonstrate an electrochemical route for highly efficient synthesis of multicarbon (C2+) chemicals from CO. We achieve a C2+ partial current density as high as 4.35 ± 0.07 A cm-2 at a low cell voltage of 2.78 ± 0.01 V over a grain boundary-rich Cu nanoparticle catalyst in an alkaline membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzer, with a C2+ Faradaic efficiency of 87 ± 1% and a CO conversion of 85 ± 3%. Operando Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations reveal that the grain boundaries of Cu nanoparticles facilitate CO adsorption and C - C coupling, thus rationalizing a qualitative trend between C2+ production and grain boundary density. A scale-up demonstration using an electrolyzer stack with five 100 cm2 MEAs achieves high C2+ and ethylene formation rates of 118.9 mmol min-1 and 1.2 L min-1, respectively, at a total current of 400 A (4 A cm-2) with a C2+ Faradaic efficiency of 64%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hefei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pengfei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Tianfu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Mingrun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Rongtan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jinyu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Zhi-You Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Shi-Gang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Dunfeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Guoxiong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Xinhe Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
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Wang X, Ju W, Liang L, Riyaz M, Bagger A, Filippi M, Rossmeisl J, Strasser P. Electrochemical CO 2 Activation and Valorization on Metallic Copper and Carbon-Embedded N-Coordinated Single Metal MNC Catalysts. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202401821. [PMID: 38467562 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202401821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical reductive valorization of CO2, referred to as the CO2RR, is an emerging approach for the conversion of CO2-containing feeds into valuable carbonaceous fuels and chemicals, with potential contributions to carbon capture and use (CCU) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Copper surfaces and graphene-embedded, N-coordinated single metal atom (MNC) catalysts exhibit distinctive reactivity, attracting attention as efficient electrocatalysts for CO2RR. This review offers a comparative analysis of CO2RR on copper surfaces and MNC catalysts, highlighting their unique characteristics in terms of CO2 activation, C1/C2(+) product formation, and the competing hydrogen evolution pathway. The assessment underscores the significance of understanding structure-activity relationships to optimize catalyst design for efficient and selective CO2RR. Examining detailed reaction mechanisms and structure-selectivity patterns, the analysis explores recent insights into changes in the chemical catalyst states, atomic motif rearrangements, and fractal agglomeration, providing essential kinetic information from advanced in/ex situ microscopy/spectroscopy techniques. At the end, this review addresses future challenges and solutions related to today's disconnect between our current molecular understanding of structure-activity-selectivity relations in CO2RR and the relevant factors controlling the performance of CO2 electrolyzers over longer times, with larger electrode sizes, and at higher current densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingli Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wen Ju
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Electrochemistry and Catalysis, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, 18059, Rostock
| | - Liang Liang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohd Riyaz
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alexander Bagger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Michael Filippi
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Rossmeisl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Strasser
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Division, Technical University of Berlin, Straße des 17. June 124, 10623, Berlin, Germany
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Cheng D, Alexandrova AN, Sautet P. H-Induced Restructuring on Cu(111) Triggers CO Electroreduction in an Acidic Electrolyte. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:1056-1061. [PMID: 38254259 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In acidic conditions, the electroreduction of CO or CO2 (noted CO(2)RR) on metal surfaces is conventionally hindered by intense competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, we present first-principles calculations of a mechanism wherein the formation of H-induced Cu adatoms on Cu(111) serves as a pivotal trigger for CORR in acidic environments. Through an analysis of the grand canonical surface state population, we elucidate that these newly formed adatoms create an array of active sites essential for both CO adsorption and subsequent reduction. Our ensemble-based kinetic models unveil the role of adatoms, enhancing the HER while simultaneously initiating CORR. Notably, the cumulative activity of the HER and CORR is contingent upon the combination of various surface states, with their individual contributions varying based on the electrode potential and pH. The interplay between surface state dynamics and electrochemical activity sheds new light on the potential-dependent nature of the active site and reaction kinetics governing CORR on Cu(111) in acidic media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfang Cheng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Anastassia N Alexandrova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Philippe Sautet
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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Xie L, Jiang Y, Zhu W, Ding S, Zhou Y, Zhu JJ. Cu-based catalyst designs in CO 2 electroreduction: precise modulation of reaction intermediates for high-value chemical generation. Chem Sci 2023; 14:13629-13660. [PMID: 38075661 PMCID: PMC10699555 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04353c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The massive emission of excess greenhouse gases (mainly CO2) have an irreversible impact on the Earth's ecology. Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (ECR), a technique that utilizes renewable energy sources to create highly reduced chemicals (e.g. C2H4, C2H5OH), has attracted significant attention in the science community. Cu-based catalysts have emerged as promising candidates for ECR, particularly in producing multi-carbon products that hold substantial value in modern industries. The formation of multi-carbon products involves a range of transient intermediates, the behaviour of which critically influences the reaction pathway and product distribution. Consequently, achieving desirable products necessitates precise regulation of these intermediates. This review explores state-of-the-art designs of Cu-based catalysts, classified into three categories based on the different prospects of the intermediates' modulation: heteroatom doping, morphological structure engineering, and local catalytic environment engineering. These catalyst designs enable efficient multi-carbon generation in ECR by effectively modulating reaction intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangyiqun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Yujing Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, The Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, School of the Environment, Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Wenlei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, The Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, School of the Environment, Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Shichao Ding
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California La Jolla San Diego CA 92093 USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials IAM, Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
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