1 research outputs found
Mechanistic Insights into the Enhanced Activity and Stability of Agglomerated Cu Nanocrystals for the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to <i>n</i>‑Propanol
The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) to <i>n-</i>propanol (CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>OH) using renewable
electricity is a potentially sustainable route to the production of
this valuable engine fuel. In this study, we report that agglomerates
of ∼15 nm sized copper nanocrystals exhibited unprecedented
catalytic activity for this electrochemical reaction in aqueous 0.1
M KHCO<sub>3</sub>. The onset potential for the formation of <i>n-</i>propanol was 200–300 mV more positive than for
an electropolished Cu surface or Cu<sup>0</sup> nanoparticles. At
−0.95 V (vs RHE), <i>n-</i>propanol was formed on
the Cu nanocrystals with a high current density (<i>j</i><sub><i>n</i>‑propanol</sub>) of −1.74 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, which is ∼25× larger than that found on Cu<sup>0</sup> nanoparticles at the same applied potential. The Cu nanocrystals
were also catalytically stable for at least 6 h, and only 14% deactivation
was observed after 12 h of CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. Mechanistic studies
suggest that <i>n-</i>propanol could be formed through the
C–C coupling of carbon monoxide and ethylene precursors. The
enhanced activity of the Cu nanocrystals toward <i>n-</i>propanol formation was correlated to their surface population of
defect sites