Synthesis of Cu2O@Cu-Fe-K Prussian Blue analogue core-shell nanocube for enhanced electroreduction of CO2 to multi-carbon products

Cu2O@Cu-Fe-K Prussian Blue analogue (K-PBA) core-shell nanocube was synthesized by a facile template-engaged redox deposition approach, and could be used as an efficient catalyst for CO2 electrochemical reduction (CO2ER). The presence of K-PBA shell not only can protect the Cu2O active core, but also promote the ratios of multi-carbon products to competing methane in CO2ER, achieving a total C2+ Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 23.9% (ethylene 10.8%, ethanol 3.6% and n-propanol 9.5%) at -1.11 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), while j(total) = 6.2 mA cm(-2). It is suggested that K-PBA shell coating alter inherent adsorption energetics of Cu2O, which contributes to the C-C coupling step in CO2 ER. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.