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Polymeric ionic liquid promotes acidic electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to multicarbon products with ampere level current on Cu

Author

Listed:
  • Zhonghao Tan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianling Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yisen Yang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiajun Zhong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yingzhe Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yunan Teng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Buxing Han

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhongjun Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The acidic electroreduction of CO2 into multicarbon (C2+) products is much attractive for the improved carbon utilization than alkaline or neutral electroreduction. How to improve the efficiency of C2+ products generation by acidic electroreduction of CO2, is important, especially at high current density and in electrolyte with low K+ concentration. Herein, we propose a strategy of capping Cu surface with a polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) adlayer for boosting the acidic electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to C2+ products at high current densities (ampere-level) and low K+ concentration. In the electrolyte with a relatively low K+ concentration (1.0 M), the Faradaic efficiency (FE) for C2+ products reaches 82.2% under a current density 1.0 A·cm−2 in acidic environment (pH=1.8). Particularly, when the current density is as high as 1.5 A·cm−2, the C2+ FE still keeps 75.8%. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the presence of PIL adlayer on Cu catalyst can well inhibit H+ diffusion to catalyst surface, enrich more K+ and facilitate C-C coupling reaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhonghao Tan & Jianling Zhang & Yisen Yang & Jiajun Zhong & Yingzhe Zhao & Yunan Teng & Buxing Han & Zhongjun Chen, 2025. "Polymeric ionic liquid promotes acidic electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to multicarbon products with ampere level current on Cu," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57095-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57095-z
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