An Ag–Cu interface for selective electroreduction of benzyl chloride to bibenzyl

Abstract

An integrated Ag–Cu heterostructure electrode is prepared by in situ growth of Cu NWs and then in situ loading of Ag nanoparticles on Cu NWs. The Ag–Cu electrode achieves a faradaic efficiency of 68.9% for electroreduction of benzyl chloride to bibenzyl at a current density of 16.7 mA cm⁻² at −1.2 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M NaOH/ethanol–water. Mechanistic studies show that the Ag–Cu interface promotes the adsorption of benzyl chloride on Ag, the reaction between benzyl chloride and Cu, and the coupling of benzyl radicals on Ag.