Silver/Copper Interface for Relay Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene

CO2 electroreduction provides an effective solution on CO2 emission and greenhouse effect. However, it is a big challenge to produce hydrocarbon fuels with high energy density via the electroreduction of CO2. Here we report the efficient production of ethylene by constructing Ag–Cu bimetallic catalyst with sharp interface; the Faradaic efficiency for ethylene formation is enhanced to 42%, more than 2 times that of pure Cu catalyst. The high yield of ethylene can be rationalized by the relay catalysis of Ag and Cu component around the Ag/Cu interface.