A Cu2O-derived Polymeric Carbon Nitride Heterostructured Catalyst for the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene

Graphical Yes, we CN : A simple and cost-effective method for the large-scale synthesis of Cu x O/CN catalysts is developed, involving high-temperature calcination with the aid of an N-rich component and anhydrous acetate. The CN film enriches the electron density at Cu x O metal active sites and Cu x O/CN shows a high C 2 H 4 faradaic efficiency of 42.2 %. The electroreduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons has been proposed as a promising way to utilize CO 2 and maintain the ecosystem carbon balance. However, the selective reduction of CO 2 to C 2 hydrocarbons is still challenging. In this study, a highly efficient heterostructured catalyst has been developed, composed of a carbon nitride (CN)-encapsulated copper oxide hybrid (Cu x O/CN). The interaction between the metal and carbon nitride in the heterostructured catalysts improves the intrinsic electrical conductivity and the charge transfer processes at metal–support interfaces. A remarkable enhancement in the selectivity of hydrocarbons is achieved with these modified Cu-based electrocatalysts, with an onset potential of −0.4 V and high C 2 H 4 faradaic efficiency of 42.2 %, and these catalysts can also effectively suppress H 2 evolution during the CO 2 reduction reaction. This work provides a simple and cost-effective method for synthesizing CN-encapsulated catalysts that provides the possibility of efficiently converting CO 2 into C 2 hydrocarbons.