Bulk-immiscible CuAg alloy nanorods prepared by phase transition from oxides for electrochemical CO2 reduction

Abstract

Combining Cu and Ag in an alloy state holds promise to serve as a tandem catalyst for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, but is restricted by immiscibility in the bulk. Here, a far-from-equilibrium method is developed to synthesize CuAg alloy by electroreduction of Cu₂Ag₂O₃ under a large cathodic overpotential. The alloy state of CuAg is conducive to the formation of C₂₊ molecules. A high formation rate of C₂H₄ of 159.8 μmol cm⁻² h⁻¹ is reached on the CuAg alloy nanorods, 2.3 times higher than that on pure Cu.