Local oxophilicity Sm incorporation drives structural alteration of Cu2O/Cu catalyst in CO2 electroreduction

The rational surface regulation of Cu electrocatalysts through doping foreign components has emerged as a feasible pathway in electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction. Herein, the catalysts comprising the Cu 0 -Sm 3+ -Cu + sites are reported to explore the doping-driven the alteration of surface structure and properties. The incorporation of Sm with oxygen affinity in Cu 2 O/Cu decreases the crystallite sizes and evokes lattice expansion of Cu 2 O and Cu to generate surface defects. The interaction of Cu 0 , Sm 3+ and Cu + promotes dual-carbon production by stabilizing Cu + and enhancing *CO coverage and water dissociation. Our findings therefore reveal the role of Sm in promoting beneficial changes of Cu-based electrocatalysts.