Woong Choi, Younghyun Chae, Ershuai Liu, Dongjin Kim, Walter S. Drisdell, Hyung-suk Oh, Jai Hyun Koh, Dong Ki Lee, Ung Lee, Da Hye Won
{"title":"Exploring the influence of cell configurations on Cu catalyst reconstruction during CO2 electroreduction","authors":"Woong Choi, Younghyun Chae, Ershuai Liu, Dongjin Kim, Walter S. Drisdell, Hyung-suk Oh, Jai Hyun Koh, Dong Ki Lee, Ung Lee, Da Hye Won","doi":"10.1038/s41467-024-52692-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) cells incorporating Cu catalysts are effective for generating C<sub>2+</sub> chemicals via the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR). However, the impact of MEA configuration on the inevitable reconstruction of Cu catalysts during CO<sub>2</sub>RR remains underexplored, despite its considerable potential to affect CO<sub>2</sub>RR efficacy. Herein, we demonstrate that MEA cells prompt a unique reconstruction of Cu, in contrast to H-type cells, which subsequently influences CO<sub>2</sub>RR outcomes. Utilizing three Cu-based catalysts, specifically engineered with different nanostructures, we identify contrasting selectivity trends in the production of C<sub>2+</sub> chemicals between H-type and MEA cells. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, alongside ex-situ analyses in both cell types, indicates that MEA cells facilitate the reduction of Cu<sub>2</sub>O, resulting in altered Cu surfaces compared to those in H-type cells. Time-resolved CO<sub>2</sub>RR studies, supported by Operando analysis, further highlight that significant Cu reconstruction within MEA cells is a primary factor leading to the deactivation of CO<sub>2</sub>RR into C<sub>2+</sub> chemicals.</p>","PeriodicalId":19066,"journal":{"name":"Nature Communications","volume":"120 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nature Communications","FirstCategoryId":"103","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52692-w","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) cells incorporating Cu catalysts are effective for generating C2+ chemicals via the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the impact of MEA configuration on the inevitable reconstruction of Cu catalysts during CO2RR remains underexplored, despite its considerable potential to affect CO2RR efficacy. Herein, we demonstrate that MEA cells prompt a unique reconstruction of Cu, in contrast to H-type cells, which subsequently influences CO2RR outcomes. Utilizing three Cu-based catalysts, specifically engineered with different nanostructures, we identify contrasting selectivity trends in the production of C2+ chemicals between H-type and MEA cells. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, alongside ex-situ analyses in both cell types, indicates that MEA cells facilitate the reduction of Cu2O, resulting in altered Cu surfaces compared to those in H-type cells. Time-resolved CO2RR studies, supported by Operando analysis, further highlight that significant Cu reconstruction within MEA cells is a primary factor leading to the deactivation of CO2RR into C2+ chemicals.
期刊介绍:
Nature Communications, an open-access journal, publishes high-quality research spanning all areas of the natural sciences. Papers featured in the journal showcase significant advances relevant to specialists in each respective field. With a 2-year impact factor of 16.6 (2022) and a median time of 8 days from submission to the first editorial decision, Nature Communications is committed to rapid dissemination of research findings. As a multidisciplinary journal, it welcomes contributions from biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences, aiming to highlight important breakthroughs within each domain.