CO2 Electroreduction to Long-Chain Hydrocarbons on Cobalt Catalysts

Renewable-powered electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to long-chain hydrocarbons represents a sustainable path to produce chemicals and fuels. However, recently discovered systems still lack C–C coupling capabilities required to yield longer, more valuable carbon chains. This study reports cobalt cataly...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Preikschas, Phil, Zhang, Jie, Seemakurthi, Ranga Rohit, Lian, Zan, Martín, Antonio José, Xi, Shibo, Krumeich, Frank, Ma, Haibin, Zhou, Yansong, López, Núria, Yeo, Boon Siang, Pérez-Ramírez, Javier
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2072/537830
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/2072/537830
https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202401447
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Química
54 - Química
Descripción
Sumario:Renewable-powered electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to long-chain hydrocarbons represents a sustainable path to produce chemicals and fuels. However, recently discovered systems still lack C–C coupling capabilities required to yield longer, more valuable carbon chains. This study reports cobalt catalysts with a focus on a Co3O4-derived material for the selective conversion of CO2 to C1–C7 hydrocarbons, following an Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution. The obtained chain growth probability (α) of 0.54 substantially exceeds that of any other known electrocatalyst, which ranged from 0.2 to 0.4. Detailed in situ characterization and simulations indicated that Co-Co3O4 interfaces, formed in situ during CO2 electrolysis, are the active sites that promote enhanced chain growth. To prevent overreduction that causes the deactivation of these interfacial sites, the electrode is exposed to intermittent short reoxidation cycles during CO2 electrolysis. Consequently, the catalyst regained its oxidic phase and ability to form hydrocarbons. Overall, this study opens new frontiers in the one-step conversion of CO2 into multi-carbon products and suggests the exploration of metal–metal oxide interfaces as a promising strategy for further progress.