Correlating the valence state of a Cu-based electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction to C2+

Abstract

In this study, a facile ligand-protected strategy for preparing Cu@Cu₂O and CuO nanoparticles is presented. The electrocatalyst efficacy of the CuO variant, particularly for CO₂ reduction to multi-carbon products (C₂₊), is significant, boasting faradaic efficiencies (FEs) surpassing 85% and a current density peak at 340 mA cm⁻². This exceptional performance markedly exceeds that of the Cu@Cu₂O electrocatalyst. This observed enhancement in the electrosynthesis efficiency of C₂₊ is attributed to the abundant Cu⁰ active sites, which originate from the in situ electroreduction of CuO.