Angewandte Chemie International Edition · 2020 · 334 citations · 44 references
Natural SciencesChemistryMaterials ScienceCatalysisElectrochemistryEnergy MaterialsElectrochemical CellsElectrochemical Energy ConversionElectrode MaterialsNanostructured Energy MaterialsSolar Cell MaterialsSolar CellsActive SitesCarbon Dioxide ElectroreductionCarbon Dioxide ReductionCatalyst Active SitesElectrocatalystsFaradaic EfficiencySelectivitySolar Energy Conversion
Abstract Copper can efficiently electro‐catalyze carbon dioxide reduction to C 2+ products (C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 5 OH, n‐propanol). However, the correlation between the activity and active sites remains ambiguous, impeding further improvements in their performance. The facet effect of copper crystals to promote CO adsorption and C−C coupling and consequently yield a superior selectivity for C 2+ products is described. We achieve a high Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 87 % and a large partial current density of 217 mA cm −2 toward C 2+ products on Cu(OH) 2 ‐D at only −0.54 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode in a flow‐cell electrolyzer. With further coupled to a Si solar cell, record‐high solar conversion efficiencies of 4.47 % and 6.4 % are achieved for C 2 H 4 and C 2+ products, respectively. This study provides an in‐depth understanding of the selective formation of C 2+ products on Cu and paves the way for the practical application of electrocatalytic or solar‐driven CO 2 reduction.
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