Elucidating the structure-dependent selectivity of CuZn towards methane and ethanol in CO₂ electroreduction using tailored Cu/ZnO precatalysts.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the catalyst compositional and structural features that control selectivity is of uttermost importance to target desired products in chemical reactions. In this joint experimental-computational work, we leverage tailored Cu/ZnO precatalysts as a material platform to identify the intrinsic features of methane-producing and ethanol-producing CuZn catalysts in the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). Specifically, we find that Cu@ZnO nanocrystals, where a central Cu domain is decorated with ZnO domains, and ZnO@Cu nanocrystals, where a central ZnO domain is decorated with Cu domains, evolve into Cu@CuZn core@shell catalysts that are selective for methane (∼52%) and ethanol (∼39%), respectively. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and va

SUBMITTER: Varandili SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8580038 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature