Atomically Dispersed Cu-Au Alloy for Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Monoxide to Acetate

Electrocatalytic carbon monoxide reduction reac-tion (CORR) is a promising strategy to convert carbon monoxide into high-value multi-carbon products such as acetate. Nonetheless, the activity and selectivity for CO-to-multi-carbon product conversion remains low due to the lack of efficient catalysts. Herein, we report a Cu-Au alloy catalyst with abundant atomic Cu-Au interfaces to drive efficient CORR for acetate production. The unique geometric and electronic structure of atomic Cu-Au interfaces affords improved acetate activity and selectivity, surpassing metallic Cu nanoparticles and CuAu bulk alloys. A Faradaic efficiency of 39% was achieved with a large partial current density of 217 mA cm-2 for acetate production in an alkaline flow cell. Density functional theory calculation reveals that the introduction of Au atoms into the Cu support promotes C-C coupling and improves acetate formation by weakening the binding strength of *CO +*CO on the catalyst surface.

Automated summary

We report a Cu-Au alloy catalyst with abundant atomic Cu-Au interfaces for efficient electrocatalytic carbon monoxide reduction reaction (CORR) towards acetate production. The atomic Cu-Au interfaces exhibit unique geometric and electronic structures, resulting in improved acetate activity and selectivity surpassing metallic Cu nanoparticles and CuAu bulk alloys. A high Faradaic efficiency of 39% and large partial current density of 217 mA cm-2 were achieved in an alkaline flow cell.