Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Ethylene by Molecular Cu-Complex Immobilized on Graphitized Mesoporous Carbon

Abstract

Summary

The study shows that a dinuclear molecular copper complex immobilized on graphitized mesoporous carbon catalyzes the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to hydrocarbons (methane and ethylene) with total Faradaic efficiencies of up to 60%. In 0.1 M KCl, a high selectivity toward C₂ products is achieved, with a Faradaic efficiency of 40%. The influence of local pH, pore structure, and the carbon support on mass transport and the formation of highly reduced products is demonstrated. Although spectroscopy after 2 h of bulk electrolysis indicates that the molecular complex is still present, morphological analysis reveals that newly formed copper clusters act as the actual active sites during catalysis.

Advances and special progress

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Additional remarks

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Content of the published article in detail

Catalyst

Additives

In this study, the addition of X was tested and control experiments under argon atmosphere were conducted.

electrocatalysis, CO2 reduction, copper catalyst, dinuclear copper complex, graphitized mesoporous carbon, molecular immobilization, hydrocarbons, methane, ethylene, C2 products, Faradaic efficiency, local pH effects, mass transport, catalyst reconstruction, copper clusters, KCl electrolyte, carbon support, heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemistry