Electrochemical CO2-to-ethylene conversion on polyamine-incorporated Cu electrodes

Xinyi Chen, Junfeng Chen, Nawal M. Alghoraibi, Danielle A. Henckel, Ruixian Zhang, Uzoma O. Nwabara, Kenneth E. Madsen, Paul J.A. Kenis, Steven C. Zimmerman, Andrew A. Gewirth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals holds promise to enable the transition to carbon neutrality. Enhancing selectivity for a specific hydrocarbon product is challenging, however, due to numerous possible reaction pathways of CO2 electroreduction. Here we present a Cu–polyamine hybrid catalyst, developed through co-electroplating, that significantly increases the selectivity for ethylene production. The Faradaic efficiency for ethylene production is 87% ± 3% at −0.47 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, with full-cell energetic efficiency reaching 50% ± 2%. Raman measurements indicate that the polyamine entrained on the Cu electrode results in higher surface pH, higher CO content and higher stabilization of intermediates compared with entrainment of additives containing little or no amine functionality. More broadly, this work shows that polymer incorporation can alter surface reactivity and lead to enhanced product selectivity at high current densities. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)20-27
Number of pages8
JournalNature Catalysis
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Bioengineering
  • Biochemistry
  • Process Chemistry and Technology

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