The Synergistic Effect of CdO Nanoclusters and Cu-Exchanged MOR Zeolites Enhances Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Abstract

Efficient electrochemical CO₂ reduction is achieved using a rationally designed CdO@CuMOR zeolite catalyst. By combining copper ion-exchange with cadmium oxide nanocluster encapsulation, we simultaneously enhance charge transfer properties and regulate intermediate binding. The modified catalyst exhibits superior CO selectivity, achieving high Faradaic efficiency for CO production across a broad potential window. The copper-modified zeolite framework facilitates electron conduction while suppressing competing reactions, and the confined CdO components optimize the binding strength of key intermediates *CO. This synergistic design enables effective CO₂ activation and conversion while mitigating common poisoning effects. The results highlight how zeolite hosts can be engineered to create tailored microenvironments for metal oxide catalysts, controlling both electronic and spatial factors that govern electrochemical performance. This approach provides a general strategy for developing selective hybrid catalysts for CO₂ conversion through precise manipulation of active site environments.