Selectivity Control of Cu Nanocrystals in a Gas-Fed Flow Cell through CO2 Pulsed Electroreduction

In this study, we have taken advantage of a pulsed CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) approach to tune the product distribution at industrially relevant current densities in a gas-fed flow cell. We compared the CO2RR selectivity of Cu catalysts subjected to either potentiostatic conditions (fixed applied potential of -0.7 V-RHE) or pulsed electrolysis conditions (1 s pulses at oxidative potentials ranging from E-an = 0.6 to 1.5 V-RHE , followed by 1 s pulses at -0.7 V-RHE ) and identified the main parameters responsible for the enhanced product selectivity observed in the latter case. Herein, two distinct regimes were observed: (i) for E-an = 0.9 V-RHE we obtained 10% enhanced C-2 product selectivity (FEC2H4 = 43.6% and FEC2H5 OH = 19.8%) in comparison to the potentiostatic CO2RR at -0.7 V-RHE (FEC2H4 = 40.9% and FEC2H5OH = 11%), (ii) while for E-an = 1.2 V-RHE, high CH4 selectivity (FECH4 = 48.3% vs 1% at constant -0.7 V-RHE) was observed. Operando spectroscopy (XAS, SERS) and ex situ microscopy (SEM and TEM) measurements revealed that these differences in catalyst selectivity can be ascribed to structural modifications and local pH effects. The morphological reconstruction of the catalyst observed after pulsed electrolysis with E-an = 0.9 V-RHE, including the presence of highly defective interfaces and grain boundaries, was found to play a key role in the enhancement of the C-2 product formation. In turn, pulsed electrolysis with E-an = 1.2 V-RHE caused the consumption of OH - species near the catalyst surface, leading to an OH-poor environment favorable for CH4 production.

Automated summary

This study utilized a pulsed CO2 electroreduction reaction approach to adjust product distribution in a gas-fed flow cell for industrially relevant current densities. By comparing the selectivity of Cu catalysts under potentiostatic and pulsed electrolysis conditions, it was found that the enhanced product selectivity in the latter case can be attributed to structural modifications and local pH effects. The differences in catalyst selectivity were observed to influence the formation of specific products, such as C-2 and CH4, through morphological reconstruction and consumption of OH - species near the catalyst surface.