Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu Electrode
The electrocatalytic conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> on a Cu electrode has the potential to produce valuable chemicals such as hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. While the influence of electrolyte cation on the activity and selectivity of the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reactio...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Catalysts |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/7/1092 |
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| author | Aamir Hassan Shah Yue Gong Yanjie Wang Abebe Reda Woldu Tao He |
| author_facet | Aamir Hassan Shah Yue Gong Yanjie Wang Abebe Reda Woldu Tao He |
| author_sort | Aamir Hassan Shah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The electrocatalytic conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> on a Cu electrode has the potential to produce valuable chemicals such as hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. While the influence of electrolyte cation on the activity and selectivity of the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR) on Cu has been widely observed, the specific mechanism through which cation species affect the CO<sub>2</sub>RR remains unclear and subject to debate. In this work, the CO<sub>2</sub>RR in the carbonate electrolytes containing different alkali metals (Li<sup>+</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, Rb<sup>+</sup>, and Cs<sup>+</sup>) was investigated at potentials from −0.1 to −1.1 V (vs. RHE) over a Cu electrode using electrochemical techniques. Charge transfer kinetics, adsorption of species, and mass transport were considered comprehensively during the analysis. It is found that several factors can play a role in the CO<sub>2</sub>RR, including hydrated cation adsorption, preferential hydrolysis, and interaction between the cation and adsorbed species, with the dominating factor determined by the external bias and cation species. Consequently, a coherent interpretation of the influence of electrolyte cations on the intrinsic kinetics of the CO<sub>2</sub>RR has been put forward. We envision that these insights will greatly contribute to the development of efficient catalytic systems and the optimization of catalytic conditions, thereby advancing progress toward commercial applications in this field. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:12:23Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4344 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:12:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Catalysts |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a63e9d066bd4b50998ae99612c8c9f02023-11-18T18:44:37ZengMDPI AGCatalysts2073-43442023-07-01137109210.3390/catal13071092Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu ElectrodeAamir Hassan Shah0Yue Gong1Yanjie Wang2Abebe Reda Woldu3Tao He4CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, ChinaCAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, ChinaCAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, ChinaCAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, ChinaCAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, ChinaThe electrocatalytic conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> on a Cu electrode has the potential to produce valuable chemicals such as hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. While the influence of electrolyte cation on the activity and selectivity of the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR) on Cu has been widely observed, the specific mechanism through which cation species affect the CO<sub>2</sub>RR remains unclear and subject to debate. In this work, the CO<sub>2</sub>RR in the carbonate electrolytes containing different alkali metals (Li<sup>+</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, Rb<sup>+</sup>, and Cs<sup>+</sup>) was investigated at potentials from −0.1 to −1.1 V (vs. RHE) over a Cu electrode using electrochemical techniques. Charge transfer kinetics, adsorption of species, and mass transport were considered comprehensively during the analysis. It is found that several factors can play a role in the CO<sub>2</sub>RR, including hydrated cation adsorption, preferential hydrolysis, and interaction between the cation and adsorbed species, with the dominating factor determined by the external bias and cation species. Consequently, a coherent interpretation of the influence of electrolyte cations on the intrinsic kinetics of the CO<sub>2</sub>RR has been put forward. We envision that these insights will greatly contribute to the development of efficient catalytic systems and the optimization of catalytic conditions, thereby advancing progress toward commercial applications in this field.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/7/1092CO<sub>2</sub> reductionelectrolyte cationsCu electrodelinear scan voltammetryelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy |
| spellingShingle | Aamir Hassan Shah Yue Gong Yanjie Wang Abebe Reda Woldu Tao He Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu Electrode Catalysts CO<sub>2</sub> reduction electrolyte cations Cu electrode linear scan voltammetry electrochemical impedance spectroscopy |
| title | Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu Electrode |
| title_full | Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu Electrode |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu Electrode |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu Electrode |
| title_short | Understanding the Role of Electrolyte Cations on Activity and Product Selectivity of CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction over Cu Electrode |
| title_sort | understanding the role of electrolyte cations on activity and product selectivity of co sub 2 sub reduction over cu electrode |
| topic | CO<sub>2</sub> reduction electrolyte cations Cu electrode linear scan voltammetry electrochemical impedance spectroscopy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/13/7/1092 |
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