Cu-based bimetallic catalysts for CO2 reduction reaction

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction(CO2RR)is one of the effective means to realize CO2 resource utilization.Among the high-efficiency metal-based catalysts,Cu is a star material profiting from its ability for CO2 reduction into valuable hydrocarbon products.However,due to the difficulty in activating CO2 and regulating intermediate adsorption/desorption properties,the CO2RR activity and selectivity of Cu-based catalysts still cannot meet the requirements of industrial applications.The design of Cu-based bimetallic catalysts is a potential strategy because the introduction of the second metal can well promote the activation of CO2 and break the linear scaling relationship in intermediate adsorption/desorption.In this review,the synergistic enhancements of Cu-based bimetals on CO2 activation and intermediate adsorption/desorption are analyzed in detail,including the advantages caused by the morphology of Cu-based bimetallic catalysts,the local electric field effect induced by the special nanoneedle structure,the interface engineering(strain effect,atomic arrangement,interface regulation),and other particular effects(electronic effect and tandem effect).Finally,the challenges and perspectives on the development of Cu-based bimetallic catalysts for CO2 reduction are proposed.

Tracking dynamic evolution of catalytic active sites in photocatalytic CO2 reduction by in situ time-resolved spectroscopy

In situ time-resolved spectroscopy is an effective method to monitor the catalysis reaction in real time and reveal the catalytic mechanistic pathway.The dynamic evolution of coordination and electronic structures of catalytic active sites during the CO2 reduction reaction is still a "black box," impeding the design of high-efficiency catalysts.In a recent report published in J.Am.Chem.Soc.,by multiple in situ time-resolved spectroscopy.

Pseudo-copper Ni–Zn alloy catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction to C_(2) products

Electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)to obtain C_(2) products has drawn widespread attentions.Copper-based materials are the most reported catalysts for CO_(2) reduction to C_(2) products.Design of high-efficiency pseudo-copper catalysts according to the key characteristics of copper(Cu)is an important strategy to understand the reaction mechanism of C_(2) products.In this work,density function theory(DFT)calculations are used to predict nickel–zinc(NiZn)alloy catalysts with the criteria similar structure and intermediate adsorption property to Cu catalyst.The calculated tops of 3d states of NiZn3(001)catalysts are the same as Cu(100),which is the key parameter affecting the adsorption of intermediate products.As a result,NiZn3(001)exhibits similar adsorption properties with Cu(100)on the crucial intermediates*CO_(2),*CO and*H.Moreover,we further studied CO formation,CO hydrogenation and C–C coupling process on Ni–Zn alloys.The free energy profile of C_(2) products formation shows that the energy barrier of C_(2) products formation on NiZn3(001)is even lower than Cu(100).These results indicate that NiZn3 alloy as pseudo-copper catalyst can exhibit a higher catalytic activity and selectivity of C_(2) products during CO_(2)RR.This work proposes a feasible pseudo-copper catalyst and provides guidance to design high-efficiency catalysts for CO_(2)RR to C_(2) or multi-carbon products.