Boosting CO2-to-C2H4 electrocatalysis on Cu2O with waste-derived porous carbon from coconut shells

Abstract

This study presents a sustainable strategy to boost CO₂-to-C₂H₄ conversion by constructing Cu–C interfaces using Cu₂O nanospheres supported on porous carbon derived from waste coconut shells. The Cu₂O–10mgC catalyst achieves a 4-fold increase in FE(C₂H₄) compared with Cu₂O and maintains >40% selectivity for 45 h. In situ spectra reveal enhanced *CO_LFB coverage, confirming that oxygen-rich functional groups at the Cu–C interface promote C–C coupling. This work demonstrates both the catalytic and economic feasibility of waste-derived carbon supports for efficient CO₂-to-C₂H₄ conversion.