Spatial-confinement induced electroreduction of CO and CO₂ to diols on densely-arrayed Cu nanopyramids

Abstract

The electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) to liquid alcohol is of significant research interest. This is because of a high mass-energy density, readiness for transportation and...

C3 production from CO2 reduction by concerted *CO trimerization on a single-atom alloy catalyst

“…The computational models were constructed based on the [111] Cu diamond nanopyramid 6 (Fig. S1A†) and derived densely arrayed nanopyramids 17 (Fig. S1B and C†), which were sitting on a 6 × 6 × 1 Cu (111) surface with 4.2 Å space from adjacent Cu nanopyramids to represent the dense-array.…”

“…In the past, several studies attempted to address the underlying origins of the first challenge: a low oxygenate selectivity. 17–19 Meanwhile, researchers proposed different material engineering strategies to increase oxygenate selectivity including crystal phase engineering, 20 molecule modification, 21 vacancy engineering 22 and compressive strain. 23 Different from these strategies, we recently proposed an alternative approach – formation of densely arrayed copper nanopyramids (Cu-DANs) – and proved their efficacy in significantly improving the selectivity toward diols.…”

“…23 Different from these strategies, we recently proposed an alternative approach – formation of densely arrayed copper nanopyramids (Cu-DANs) – and proved their efficacy in significantly improving the selectivity toward diols. 17 The selectivity enhancement was attributed to the unique spatial confinement effect to preserve O atoms in the hydroxyl group. The strategy is most likely extendable to the electrosynthesis of PDO.…”

“…, C 1 + C 2 → C 3 . 24–26 However, both theoretical 16,17,27–32 and experimental studies 11,22 suggest sluggish C–C coupling kinetics on pristine Cu surfaces, in terms of initial C 1 –C 1 coupling and the subsequent C 1 –C 2 coupling. The kinetic-thermodynamic linear scaling relationship restricts initial C 1 –C 1 coupling activity.…”

Three-dimensional porphyrinic covalent organic frameworks for highly efficient electroreduction of carbon dioxide

“…5–11 Compared with other products, the two-electron involved product CO that has been widely used to produce synthetic liquid fuels by the Fischer–Tropsch process may be more easily produced via the CO 2 RR. 12–15 However, the sluggish kinetics of the CO 2 RR and the associated hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) usually lead to low current density and selectivity, 16,17 which makes it difficult to meet the requirement of commercial applications. 18 Now, although noble metal-based ( e.g.…”