Insights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO₂ to methane.

ABSTRACT: Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze electrochemical CO₂ reduction (ECR) due to maximized atomic utilization. However, products are usually limited to CO instead of hydrocarbons or oxygenates due to unfavorable high energy barrier for further electron transfer on synthesized single atom catalytic sites. Here we report a novel partial-carbonization strategy to modify the electronic structures of center atoms on SACs for lowering the overall endothermic energy of key intermediates. A carbon-dots-based SAC margined with unique CuN₂O₂ sites was synthesized for the first time. The introduction of oxygen ligands brings remarkably high Faradaic efficiency (78%) and selectivity (99% of ECR products) for electrochemical converting CO

SUBMITTER: Cai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7838205 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature