Cu3N nanoparticles with both (100) and (111) facets for enhancing the selectivity and activity of CO2 electroreduction to ethylene

Abstract

CO₂ electroreduction to high value-added chemicals is a prospective approach to realize the utilization of CO₂ resources and mitigate the greenhouse effect. Ethylene (C₂H₄), as an important chemical material, is a desirable product of CO₂ reduction, while the lack of efficient catalysts with high selectivity and activity limits the progress. In this work, we synthesized Cu₃N nanoparticles (NPs) enclosed with different crystal facets successfully by tailoring the ligand. Besides, the performance of the as-prepared Cu₃N NPs for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to C₂H₄ is evaluated. The results show that the selectivity and activity of C₂H₄ production are closely related to the exposed crystal facets of Cu₃N NPs. The Cu₃N-2 NPs show the highest CO₂RR selectivity to C₂H₄ at −0.8 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) with a faradaic efficiency of 61.1% and excellent stability for at least 10 h. This work provides a new route for enhancing the selectivity of CO₂ electrocatalytic reduction by crystal facet engineering.