Dynamic Changes in the Structure, Chemical State and Catalytic Selectivity of Cu Nanocubes during CO2 Electroreduction: Size and Support Effects

Abstract

In situ and operando spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to gain insight into the correlation between the structure, chemical state, and reactivity of size- and shape-controlled ligand-free Cu nanocubes during CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂ RR). Dynamic changes in the morphology and composition of Cu cubes supported on carbon were monitored under potential control through electrochemical atomic force microscopy, X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under reaction conditions, the roughening of the nanocube surface, disappearance of the (100) facets, formation of pores, loss of Cu and reduction of CuO_x species observed were found to lead to a suppression of the selectivity for multi-carbon products (i.e. C₂ H₄ and ethanol) versus CH₄ . A comparison with Cu cubes supported on Cu foils revealed an enhanced morphological stability and persistence of Cu^I species under CO₂ RR in the former samples. Both factors are held responsible for the higher C₂ /C₁ product ratio observed for the Cu cubes/Cu as compared to Cu cubes/C. Our findings highlight the importance of the structure of the active nanocatalyst but also its interaction with the underlying substrate in CO₂ RR selectivity.

Keywords: copper cubes; density functional calculations; electroreduction; nanoelectrochemistry; surface chemistry.