The electroreduction of CO2 (CO2RR) is a promising strategy toward sustainable fuels. Cu is the only Earth-abundant and pure metal capable of catalyzing CO2-to-hydrocarbons conversion with significant Faradaic efficiencies; yet, its dynamic structure under operando CO2RR conditions remains unknown. Here, we track the Cu structure operando by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Surprisingly, polycrystalline Cu surfaces reconstruct forming Cu nanocuboids whose size can be controlled by the polarization potential and the time employed in their in situ synthesis, without the assistance of organic surfactants and/or halide anions. If the Cu surface is covered by a graphene monolayer, smaller features with enhanced catalytic activity for CO2RR can be prepared. The graphene-protecting layer softens the 3D morphological changes that Cu-based catalysts suffer when exposed to aggressive electrochemical environments and allows us to track the kinetic roughening process. This novel strategy is promising for improving Cu long-term stability, and consequently, it could be used as a platform to ultimately control product selectivity.
Keywords: CO2 reduction; copper nanocubes; electrocatalysis; graphene; in situ surface reconstruction; potential-controlled roughening.