Laser-Prepared CuZn Alloy Catalyst for Selective Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Ethylene

Laser ablation in liquid was used to prepare homogeneous copper–zinc alloy catalysts that exhibited excellent selectivity for C2H4 in CO2 electroreduction, with faradaic efficiency values as high as 33.3% at a potential of −1.1 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode). The high proximity of Cu and Zn atoms on the surface of the catalyst was found to facilitate both stabilization of the CO* intermediate and its transfer from Zn atoms to their Cu neighbors, where further dimerization and protonation occur to give rise to a large amount of ethylene product. The new homogeneous nanocatalyst, along with the mechanism proposed for its performance, may be very helpful for in-depth understanding of processes related to carbon dioxide electroreduction and conversion.