The electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to hydrocarbons using renewable energy provides a sustainable pathway to produce carbon-neutral fuels and value-added chemicals. However, a great challenge remains to develop efficient and robust electrocatalysts with high selectivity profile for any single product, at low overpotential. To this end, nanostructured copper electrodes have shown enhanced selectivity for C-C coupled products during CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR). Nevertheless, inexpensive means to maintain structural stability during catalysis remain a challenge to sustained activity and selectivity. Herein, we report the combination of polycrystalline copper and pyridinium-based additives as a simple system to achieve and maintain high selectivity of up to 60-70 % for C≥2 products, for 43h, in 0.1M KHCO3. Several roles have been demonstrated for the organic additive, including: the formation of "nanocube-like" nanostructures by corrosion of the copper surface; the stabilization of the nanostructures during catalysis by formation of a protective organic layer; and the promotion of C≥2 products. Overall, this simple and cheap technic opens promising opportunities in preserving nanostructures during catalysis and could be applied to many systems already reported in the literature.

In situ nanostructuring and stabilization of polycrystalline copper electrodes with organic salt additives promotes CO2 reduction to ethylene

2019 Fall National Meeting

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