Surface Modification of Nano-Cu2O for Controlling CO2 Electrochemical Reduction to Ethylene and Syngas

In the surroundings of carbon neutrality, nano-Cu2O is considered a promising catalyst for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (ECO2RR), whose improvements in product selectivity still require considerable efforts. Here, we present an efficient strategy for controlling the ECO2RR product by modifying the surface of nano-Cu2O, i.e., by controlling the exposed facets via a reductant-controlled method to achieve the highest C2H4 selectivity (Faradic efficiency=74.1 %) for Cu2O-based catalysts in neutral electrolytes, and introducing a well-suited metal-organic framework (MOF) coating on the surface of nano-Cu2O to obtain syngas completely with an appropriate H-2:CO ratio. Detailed mechanism and key intermediate have been illustrated by DFT calculations. Our systematic strategy is expected to control the ECO2RR product, improve the selectivity, and provide a reliable method for CO2 management and the green production of important carbon resources.