Surface modification of copper oxide nanosheets with CeO2 for enhanced CO2 reduction to C2H4

Abstract

Copper, renowned for its intrinsic C–C coupling ability, emerges as a promising electrocatalyst for converting CO₂ into value-added C₂₊ products. However, improving selectivity and stability remains a critical hurdle. This study presents a novel strategy: integrating CeO₂ nanoparticles onto CuO nanosheets (CuO NSs). This synergistic approach effectively stabilizes the mixed oxidation state of Cu (Cu⁺ and Cu⁰) during the reaction, as confirmed by in situ X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS). In situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) reveals that CeO₂ promotes the formation of the crucial *COH intermediate, facilitating C–C coupling. The optimized catalyst demonstrates exceptional performance, achieving a Faraday efficiency of 64.1% for C₂H₄ production at 600 mA cm⁻². This research underscores the potential of surface engineering to enhance the stability and activity of Cu-based catalysts for CO₂ electroreduction.