Three-Dimensional
Hierarchical Copper-Based Nanostructures
as Advanced Electrocatalysts for CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction
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Abstract
Cu-based
nanomaterials have received increasing interest for electrocatalytic
applications in the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction. However, it
is challenging to design nanostructured Cu electrodes to improve both
the chemical kinetics and molecular transport under the reaction conditions.
Here we report on a new type of three-dimensional Cu-based nanostructures
as advanced electrocatalysts for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction. Driven
by thermal oxidation, CuO nanowires and/or porous nanostructures are
grown on commercial Cu foams with three-dimensional (3D) frameworks.
An electrochemical method is used to reduce CuO to Cu with the structural
features largely preserved. The derived Cu-based hierarchical nanostructures
demonstrate high catalytic activity and selectivity for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction, achieving >80% Faradaic efficiency and ∼3 times
enhancement in terms of CO<sub>2</sub> conversion rate as compared
to the Cu nanowires grown on planar electrodes. Our work highlights
the great potential of 3D Cu nanostructures for improving the energy
efficiency and power performance of CO<sub>2</sub> electrolysis