Reconstructing two-dimensional defects in CuO nanowires for efficient CO2 electroreduction to ethylene.

Abstract

Here we report that in situ reconstructed Cu two-dimensional (2D) defects in CuO nanowires during CO2RR lead to significantly enhanced activity and selectivity of C2H4 compared to the CuO nanoplatelets. Specifically, the CuO nanowires achieve high faradaic efficiency of 62% for C2H4 and a partial current density of 324 mA cm-2 yet at a low potential of -0.56 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode. Structural evolution characterization and in situ Raman spectra reveal that the high yield of C2H4 on CuO nanowires is attributed to the in situ reduction of CuO to Cu followed by structural reconstruction to form 2D defects, e.g., stacking faults and twin boundaries, which improve the CO production rate and *CO adsorption strength. This finding may provide a paradigm for the rational design of nanostructured catalysts for efficient CO2 electroreduction to C2H4.