Tuning the selectivity of CO2 conversion to CO on partially reduced Cu2O/ZnO heterogeneous interface

Abstract

Abstract The development of stable and efficient low‐cost electrocatalysts is conducive to the industrialization of CO2. The synergy effect between the heterogeneous interface of metal/oxide can promote the conversion of CO2. In this work, Cu2O/ZnO heterostructures with partially reduced metal/oxide heterointerfaces in Zn plates (CZZ) have been synthesized for CO2 electroreduction in different cationic solutions (K+ and Cs+). Physical characterizations were used to demonstrate the heterojunction of Cu2O/ZnO and the heterointerfaces of metal/oxide; electrochemical tests were used to illustrate the enhancement of the selectivity of CO2 to CO in different cationic solutions. Faraday efficiency for CO with CZZ as catalyst reaches 70.9% in K+ solution (current density for CO −3.77 mA cm−2 and stability 24 h), and the Faraday efficiency for CO is 55.2% in Cs+ solution (−2.47 mA cm−2 and 21 h). In addition, in situ techniques are used to elucidate possible reaction mechanisms for the conversion of CO2 to CO in K+ and Cs+ solutions.

Keywords

• CO
• CO2 reduction
• electrochemical catalysis
• heterogeneous interface