Production of multicarbon (C2+) liquid fuels is a challenging task for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, mainly limited by the stabilization of reaction intermediates and their subsequent C−C couplings. In this work, we report a unique catalyst, the coordinatively unsaturated Cu sites on amorphous CuTi alloy (a‐CuTi@Cu) toward electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to multicarbon (C2‐4) liquid fuels. Remarkably, the electrocatalyst yields ethanol, acetone, and n‐butanol as major products with a total C2‐4 faradaic efficiency of about 49 % at −0.8 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which can be maintained for at least 3 months. Theoretical simulations and in situ characterization reveals that subsurface Ti atoms can increase the electron density of surface Cu sites and enhance the adsorption of *CO intermediate, which in turn reduces the energy barriers required for *CO dimerization and trimerization.
An optical diode structure with two dislocated parallel metallic gratings is proposed and investigated numerically. Dichroic optical diode transmission is realized in this structure, i.e., optical diode effect is observed in two wavebands corresponding to inverse transmission directions. In the structure, two parallel metallic gratings with different grating constants are separated by a dielectric slab in between. The first illuminated grating acts as a selector for exciting surface plasmons at a proper wavelength. The other grating acts as an emitter to realize optical transmission. When the incident direction is reversed, the roles of two gratings exchange and surface plasmons are excited at another wavelength. In dichroic transmission wavebands, the optical diode structure exhibits extraordinary transmission and possesses high optical isolation up to 1. Furthermore, the operating wavebands can be modulated by changing structure parameters.
Production of multicarbon (C2+) liquid fuels is a challenging task for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, mainly limited by the stabilization of reaction intermediates and their subsequent C−C couplings. In this work, we report a unique catalyst, the coordinatively unsaturated Cu sites on amorphous CuTi alloy (a‐CuTi@Cu) toward electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to multicarbon (C2‐4) liquid fuels. Remarkably, the electrocatalyst yields ethanol, acetone, and n‐butanol as major products with a total C2‐4 faradaic efficiency of about 49 % at −0.8 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which can be maintained for at least 3 months. Theoretical simulations and in situ characterization reveals that subsurface Ti atoms can increase the electron density of surface Cu sites and enhance the adsorption of *CO intermediate, which in turn reduces the energy barriers required for *CO dimerization and trimerization.
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been universally demonstrated to be an effective electrocatalytic catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the low conductivity, few active sites and poor stability of MoS2-based electrocatalysts hinder its hydrogen evolution performance in a wide pH range. The introduction of other metal phases and carbon materials can create rich interfaces and defects to enhance the activity and stability of the catalyst. Herein, a new defect-rich heterogeneous ternary nanocomposite consisted of MoS2, NiS and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are synthesized using ultrathin αNi(OH)2 nanowires as the nickel source. The MoS2/rGO/NiS-5 of optimal formulation in 0.5 M H2SO4, 1.0 M KOH and 1.0 M PBS only requires 152, 169 and 209 mV of overpotential to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 (denoted as η10), respectively. The excellent HER performance of the MoS2/rGO/NiS-5 electrocatalyst can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of abundant heterogeneous interfaces in MoS2/rGO/NiS, expanded interlayer spacings, and the addition of high conductivity graphene oxide. The method reported here can provide a new idea for catalyst with Ni-Mo heterojunction, pH-universal and inexpensive hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.