Self-supported nanocatalysts for CO2 electroreduction to ethylene: their preparation and application

Abstract

This invention relates to a self-supported nanocatalyst for the electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene, its preparation, and its application. The catalyst uses copper foil as a substrate, and the catalytically active material is obtained through in-situ growth using a wet chemical method. The catalytically active material is cuprous chloride nanoclusters. The catalyst preparation includes: acid washing of the copper foil to remove surface impurities and oxide layers; immersing the acid-washed copper foil in an acidic copper chloride solution for in-situ growth; cleaning the in-situ grown copper foil; and then vacuum drying under an inert atmosphere. The catalyst application includes using the catalyst as the working electrode to catalyze the electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene via constant-potential electrolysis. The cuprous chloride nanoclusters grown in situ on the copper foil surface of this invention provide effective charge transfer channels, accelerate electron transfer, promote mass-electron coupling on the catalyst surface, and facilitate the specific adsorption of intermediates during electrolysis, thus efficiently catalyzing the electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene.

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