Roles of copper(I) in water-promoted CO2 electrolysis to multi-carbon compounds

Xiaoyang He, Li Lin, Xiangying Li, Minzhi Zhu, Qinghong Zhang, Shunji Xie (), Bingbao Mei, Fanfei Sun, Zheng Jiang (), Jun Cheng () and Ye Wang ()
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Xiaoyang He: Xiamen University
Li Lin: Xiamen University
Xiangying Li: Xiamen University
Minzhi Zhu: Xiamen University
Qinghong Zhang: Xiamen University
Shunji Xie: Xiamen University
Bingbao Mei: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fanfei Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zheng Jiang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jun Cheng: Xiamen University
Ye Wang: Xiamen University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is promising for practical applications of the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to multi-carbon (C2+) compounds. Water management is crucial in the MEA electrolyser without catholyte, but few studies have clarified whether the co-feeding water in cathode can enhance C2+ formation. Here, we report our discovery of pivotal roles of a suitable nanocomposite electrocatalyst with abundant Cu2O−Cu0 interfaces in accomplishing water-promoting effect on C2+ formation, achieving a current density of 1.0 A cm−2 and a 19% single-pass C2+ yield at 80% C2+ Faradaic efficiency in MEA. The operando characterizations confirm the co-existence of Cu+ with Cu0 during CO2RR at ampere-level current densities. Our studies reveal that Cu+ works for water activation and aids C‒C coupling by enhancing formations of adsorbed CO and CHO species. This work offers a strategy to boost CO2RR to C2+ compounds in industrial-relevant MEA by combining water management and electrocatalyst design.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54282-2

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