Snowflake relocated Cu2O electrocatalyst on an Ag backbone template for the production of liquid C2+ chemicals from CO2

Abstract

In this study, we performed the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) using a structural composite catalyst of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) and silver (Ag) that was simultaneously electrodeposited. While the underneath Ag electrodeposits maintained their spiky backbone structures even after the CO₂RR, the Cu₂O deposits were reduced to Cu(111) and relocated on the backbone template. The structural changes in Cu₂O to Cu increase the active area of the Cu–Ag interface, resulting in a remarkable production rate of 125.01 μmol h⁻¹ of liquid C₂₊ chemicals via the stabilization of the C–C coupling of the key intermediate species of acetaldehyde. This study provides new insights into designing a bimetallic catalyst for producing sustainable C₂₊ products from CO₂ without any selectivity towards the production of methane.