A Cu2O-derived Polymeric Carbon Nitride Heterostructured Catalyst for the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene

The electroreduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons has been proposed as a promising way to utilize CO2 and maintain the ecosystem carbon balance. However, the selective reduction of CO2 to C-2 hydrocarbons is still challenging. In this study, a highly efficient heterostructured catalyst has been developed, composed of a carbon nitride (CN)-encapsulated copper oxide hybrid (CuxO/CN). The interaction between the metal and carbon nitride in the heterostructured catalysts improves the intrinsic electrical conductivity and the charge transfer processes at metal-support interfaces. A remarkable enhancement in the selectivity of hydrocarbons is achieved with these modified Cu-based electrocatalysts, with an onset potential of -0.4 V and high C2H4 faradaic efficiency of 42.2 %, and these catalysts can also effectively suppress H-2 evolution during the CO2 reduction reaction. This work provides a simple and cost-effective method for synthesizing CN-encapsulated catalysts that provides the possibility of efficiently converting CO2 into C-2 hydrocarbons.

Automated summary

This study developed a highly efficient heterostructured catalyst, where the interaction between metal and carbon nitride improved electrical conductivity and charge transfer processes, significantly enhancing the selectivity of hydrocarbons in CO2 electroreduction while effectively suppressing H2 evolution.