Hollow CuS Microcube Electrocatalysts for CO₂ Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a promising strategy to mitigate or to address the issues caused by increasing CO2 emissions, but the implementation of such a technique highly depends on the exploration of highly efficient electrocatalysts toward the CO2RR. Here, we report a reliable route for the synthesis of hollow CuS microcubes (h‐CuS MCs) through a galvanic replacement reaction of the Cu2O microcube (Cu2O MC) precursor. A variety of characteristic techniques, including X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, were performed to study the morphology, crystalline structure, and surface properties. Systematic electrochemical studies demonstrate that the electrocatalytic activity for CO2RR is sensitive to crystalline structure, morphology, and size of Cu‐based materials. The h‐CuS MCs manifest the highest electrocatalytic activity upon electrocatalyzing CO2RR among the set of Cu‐based materials tested, as evidenced by a rather low overpotential and an enhanced faradaic efficiency for CO production.

Hollow Structures Based on Prussian Blue and Its Analogs for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion

“…ii) Highly crystalline metal phosphides, selenides, and carbides derived from PB or PBAs should be paid more attention due to their intrinsic excellent electronic conductivity beyond those oxides for electrochemical applications. vi) The applications of the PB-and PBA-based hollow structures could be extended to other energy-related subjects, such as Li-S batteries, [30] electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction, [123] etc. [118] iii) Apart from the emulsions and PB/PBA cubes, different templates should be employed to extend the synthetic methodology and morphological diversity of the products.…”

Metal-organic frameworks for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide: The role of metal centers

“…In fact, there are different theoretic mechanisms for various products (C1, C2, C3,…) generated from the CO 2 RR. For example, the reduction of CO 2 to CO proceeds via two-electron transfer process [80] . Firstly, the first electron is transferred to the surface of CO 2 molecule to form CO However, to produce multi-carbon products, the catalyst surface requires strong adsorption capacity for the CO intermediate during CO 2 reduction, therefore, it promotes CO further dimerization to generated multi-carbon species via multiple proton-coupledelectron-transfer reactions ( Fig.…”

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 into C1 and C2 Hydrocarbons Using Dendritic Cu and Cu2O Electrodes

“…Recent researches also focus on limiting the selectivity of CO 2 reduction reaction and reducing the overpotential of methane and ethylene formation. In order to improve the electrocatalytic performance of copper, their studies are not only exploring the particle size, surface roughness, and ability to catalyze, but also the formation of Au, Zn, Cd, Ag, S, C, N, P and graphene composites . In their works, the surface structure largely affects the CO 2 reduction in terms of the selectivity of hydrocarbon production .…”

“…In order to improve the electrocatalytic performance of copper, their studies are not only exploring the particle size, surface roughness, and ability to catalyze, but also the formation of Au, Zn, Cd, Ag, S, C, N, P and graphene composites. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] In their works, the surface structure largely affects the CO 2 reduction in terms of the selectivity of hydrocarbon production. [32] The roughened Cu surfaces show higher selectivity.…”