Isolated copper–tin atomic interfaces tuning electrocatalytic CO2 conversion

Wenhao Ren, Xin Tan, Jiangtao Qu, Sesi Li, Jiantao Li, Xin Liu, Simon P. Ringer, Julie M. Cairney, Kaixue Wang, Sean C. Smith and Chuan Zhao ()
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Wenhao Ren: University of New South Wales
Xin Tan: The Australian National University Canberra
Jiangtao Qu: The University of Sydney
Sesi Li: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jiantao Li: Wuhan University of Technology
Xin Liu: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Simon P. Ringer: The University of Sydney
Julie M. Cairney: The University of Sydney
Kaixue Wang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Sean C. Smith: The Australian National University Canberra
Chuan Zhao: University of New South Wales

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Direct experimental observations of the interface structure can provide vital insights into heterogeneous catalysis. Examples of interface design based on single atom and surface science are, however, extremely rare. Here, we report Cu–Sn single-atom surface alloys, where isolated Sn sites with high surface densities (up to 8%) are anchored on the Cu host, for efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. The unique geometric and electronic structure of the Cu–Sn surface alloys (Cu97Sn3 and Cu99Sn1) enables distinct catalytic selectivity from pure Cu100 and Cu70Sn30 bulk alloy. The Cu97Sn3 catalyst achieves a CO Faradaic efficiency of 98% at a tiny overpotential of 30 mV in an alkaline flow cell, where a high CO current density of 100 mA cm−2 is obtained at an overpotential of 340 mV. Density functional theory simulation reveals that it is not only the elemental composition that dictates the electrocatalytic reactivity of Cu–Sn alloys; the local coordination environment of atomically dispersed, isolated Cu–Sn bonding plays the most critical role.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21750-y

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