One‐Pot Solvothermal Synthesis of Carbon Black‐Supported CuO for Catalysis of CO2Electroreduction

Abstract Here we propose a simple one‐pot solvothermal method to synthesize well‐dispersed CuO catalysts over carbon black surface for application in CO 2 electrolysis. Although simple, the route produced catalysts with good performance even in lower CuO contents, increasing the efficiency of the catalytic layer. Films prepared by straightforward dropping on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) substrates were stable (up to 30 hours), showing good activity for CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) and controlling the competitive H 2 evolution to preferentially form CO 2 reduction products (CO, formic acid, ethanol, and acetic acid). The results showed values of almost 50 % of faradaic efficiency for products of CO 2 reduction, comparable with other more elaborated catalysts reported in the literature, even utilizing cheap support, easy synthesis, and lower potentials.