Dual atomic Cu sites enable CO2-to-C2+ conversion in strong acid

Abstract

As reported recently in Nature Synthesis, Sargent and co-workers have developed tandem electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction by combining planar Cu (which converts CO₂ to CO) and dual-atomic-site catalysts (which produce hydrocarbons, such as ethylene and ethanol). This system achieves 46% ethanol Faradaic efficiency and 91% C₂₊ efficiency at 150 mA cm⁻² under acidic conditions, advancing sustainable CO₂ conversion.