On the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 using Cu-nanoparticles decorating Au electrode

CO2 is electrocatalytically reduced in aqueous solutions (NaHCO3 and Na2SO4) at polycrystalline gold (Au) both bare and modified with copper nanoparticles (nano-Cu) (nano-Cu/Au). Copper nanoparticles were deposited by the cycling of potential in the range (-0.2-0.7 V) for various potential cycles. The effect of the electrolyte, as well as the nano-Cu loading on the electroreduction of CO2, has been investigated. Nano-Cu/Au electrode has been voltammetrically and morphologically characterized. It has been found that the type of electrolyte, that is, NaHCO3 and Na2SO4, is critical in the electrochemical reduction of CO2; for instance, the CO2 reduction is obscured by hydrogen evolution in NaHCO3 solutions (pH 9.2) at both electrodes, that is, bare Au and nano-Cu/Au electrodes, the well-defined redox peak is obtained at both electrodes in Na2SO4 solution (pH 7), even though the pH of Na2SO4 is smaller. The extent of catalysis is based on the copper loading at the nano-Cu/Au electrode as well.