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Efficient electrically powered CO2-to-ethanol via suppression of deoxygenation

Author

Listed:
  • Xue Wang

    (University of Toronto)

  • Ziyun Wang

    (University of Toronto)

  • F. Pelayo García de Arquer

    (University of Toronto)

  • Cao-Thang Dinh

    (University of Toronto)

  • Adnan Ozden

    (University of Toronto)

  • Yuguang C. Li

    (University of Toronto)

  • Dae-Hyun Nam

    (University of Toronto)

  • Jun Li

    (University of Toronto
    University of Toronto)

  • Yi-Sheng Liu

    (Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Joshua Wicks

    (University of Toronto)

  • Zitao Chen

    (Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Miaofang Chi

    (Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Bin Chen

    (University of Toronto)

  • Ying Wang

    (University of Toronto)

  • Jason Tam

    (University of Toronto)

  • Jane Y. Howe

    (University of Toronto)

  • Andrew Proppe

    (University of Toronto
    University of Toronto)

  • Petar Todorović

    (University of Toronto)

  • Fengwang Li

    (University of Toronto)

  • Tao-Tao Zhuang

    (University of Toronto)

  • Christine M. Gabardo

    (University of Toronto)

  • Ahmad R. Kirmani

    (Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST))

  • Christopher McCallum

    (University of Toronto)

  • Sung-Fu Hung

    (University of Toronto)

  • Yanwei Lum

    (University of Toronto)

  • Mingchuan Luo

    (University of Toronto)

  • Yimeng Min

    (University of Toronto)

  • Aoni Xu

    (University of Toronto)

  • Colin P. O’Brien

    (University of Toronto)

  • Bello Stephen

    (Hitachi HTA Microscopy Lab)

  • Bin Sun

    (University of Toronto)

  • Alexander H. Ip

    (University of Toronto)

  • Lee J. Richter

    (Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST))

  • Shana O. Kelley

    (Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    University of Toronto)

  • David Sinton

    (University of Toronto)

  • Edward H. Sargent

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

The carbon dioxide electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) provides ways to produce ethanol but its Faradaic efficiency could be further improved, especially in CO2RR studies reported at a total current density exceeding 10 mA cm−2. Here we report a class of catalysts that achieve an ethanol Faradaic efficiency of (52 ± 1)% and an ethanol cathodic energy efficiency of 31%. We exploit the fact that suppression of the deoxygenation of the intermediate HOCCH* to ethylene promotes ethanol production, and hence that confinement using capping layers having strong electron-donating ability on active catalysts promotes C–C coupling and increases the reaction energy of HOCCH* deoxygenation. Thus, we have developed an electrocatalyst with confined reaction volume by coating Cu catalysts with nitrogen-doped carbon. Spectroscopy suggests that the strong electron-donating ability and confinement of the nitrogen-doped carbon layers leads to the observed pronounced selectivity towards ethanol.

Suggested Citation

  • Xue Wang & Ziyun Wang & F. Pelayo García de Arquer & Cao-Thang Dinh & Adnan Ozden & Yuguang C. Li & Dae-Hyun Nam & Jun Li & Yi-Sheng Liu & Joshua Wicks & Zitao Chen & Miaofang Chi & Bin Chen & Ying Wa, 2020. "Efficient electrically powered CO2-to-ethanol via suppression of deoxygenation," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(6), pages 478-486, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:5:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1038_s41560-020-0607-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-020-0607-8
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Di Wang & Hyun Dong Jung & Shikai Liu & Jiayi Chen & Haozhou Yang & Qian He & Shibo Xi & Seoin Back & Lei Wang, 2024. "Revealing the structural evolution of CuAg composites during electrochemical carbon monoxide reduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Kaiyuan Liu & Hao Shen & Zhiyi Sun & Qiang Zhou & Guoqiang Liu & Zhongti Sun & Wenxing Chen & Xin Gao & Pengwan Chen, 2025. "Transient pulsed discharge preparation of graphene aerogel supports asymmetric Cu cluster catalysts promote CO2 electroreduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. 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.
    4. Hugo-Pieter Iglesias van Montfort & Mengran Li & Erdem Irtem & Maryam Abdinejad & Yuming Wu & Santosh K. Pal & Mark Sassenburg & Davide Ripepi & Siddhartha Subramanian & Jasper Biemolt & Thomas E. Ruf, 2023. "Non-invasive current collectors for improved current-density distribution during CO2 electrolysis on super-hydrophobic electrodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Yue, Pengtao & Kang, Zhongyin & Fu, Qian & Li, Jun & Zhang, Liang & Zhu, Xun & Liao, Qiang, 2021. "Life cycle and economic analysis of chemicals production via electrolytic (bi)carbonate and gaseous CO2 conversion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).

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