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Electrosynthesis of polymer-grade ethylene via acetylene semihydrogenation over undercoordinated Cu nanodots

Author

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  • Weiqing Xue

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Xinyan Liu

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Chunxiao Liu

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Xinyan Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Jiawei Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhengwu Yang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Peixin Cui

    (Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hong-Jie Peng

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Qiu Jiang

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Hongliang Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Pengping Xu

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Tingting Zheng

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Chuan Xia

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Jie Zeng

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Anhui University of Technology)

Abstract

The removal of acetylene impurities remains important yet challenging to the ethylene downstream industry. Current thermocatalytic semihydrogenation processes require high temperature and excess hydrogen to guarantee complete acetylene conversion. For this reason, renewable electricity-based electrocatalytic semihydrogenation of acetylene over Cu-based catalysts is an attractive route compared to the energy-intensive thermocatalytic processes. However, active Cu electrocatalysts still face competition from side reactions and often require high overpotentials. Here, we present an undercoordinated Cu nanodots catalyst with an onset potential of −0.15 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode that can exclusively convert C2H2 to C2H4 with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of ~95.9% and high intrinsic activity in excess of −450 mA cm−2 under pure C2H2 flow. Subsequently, we successfully demonstrate simulated crude ethylene purification, continuously producing polymer-grade C2H4 with

Suggested Citation

  • Weiqing Xue & Xinyan Liu & Chunxiao Liu & Xinyan Zhang & Jiawei Li & Zhengwu Yang & Peixin Cui & Hong-Jie Peng & Qiu Jiang & Hongliang Li & Pengping Xu & Tingting Zheng & Chuan Xia & Jie Zeng, 2023. "Electrosynthesis of polymer-grade ethylene via acetylene semihydrogenation over undercoordinated Cu nanodots," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37821-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37821-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tong-Liang Hu & Hailong Wang & Bin Li & Rajamani Krishna & Hui Wu & Wei Zhou & Yunfeng Zhao & Yu Han & Xue Wang & Weidong Zhu & Zizhu Yao & Shengchang Xiang & Banglin Chen, 2015. "Microporous metal–organic framework with dual functionalities for highly efficient removal of acetylene from ethylene/acetylene mixtures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, November.
    2. Su Jae Kim & Yong In Kim & Bipin Lamichhane & Young-Hoon Kim & Yousil Lee & Chae Ryong Cho & Miyeon Cheon & Jong Chan Kim & Hu Young Jeong & Taewoo Ha & Jungdae Kim & Young Hee Lee & Seong-Gon Kim & Y, 2022. "Flat-surface-assisted and self-regulated oxidation resistance of Cu(111)," Nature, Nature, vol. 603(7901), pages 434-438, March.
    3. Sheng-Chang Xiang & Zhangjing Zhang & Cong-Gui Zhao & Kunlun Hong & Xuebo Zhao & De-Rong Ding & Ming-Hua Xie & Chuan-De Wu & Madhab C. Das & Rachel Gill & K. Mark Thomas & Banglin Chen, 2011. "Rationally tuned micropores within enantiopure metal-organic frameworks for highly selective separation of acetylene and ethylene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-7, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lei Bai & Yi Wang & Zheng Han & Jinbo Bai & Kunyue Leng & Lirong Zheng & Yunteng Qu & Yuen Wu, 2023. "Efficient industrial-current-density acetylene to polymer-grade ethylene via hydrogen-localization transfer over fluorine-modified copper," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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