Al-Doped Octahedral Cu2O Nanocrystal for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Produce Ethylene

Ethylene is an ideal CO2 product in electrocatalytic reduction reaction (CO2RR) with high economic value. This paper synthesised Al-doped octahedral Cu2O (Al–Cu2O) nanocrystal by a simple wet chemical method. The selectivity of CO2RR products was improved doping Al onto the surface Cu2O. Al–Cu2O used as efficient electrocatalyst for selective ethylene production. exhibited % Faradic efficiency (FEC2H4) 44.9% at −1.23 V (vs. RHE) saturated 0.1 M KHCO3 electrolyte. Charge transfer from atom to Cu occurs after Cu2O, optimizing electronic structure and facilitating DFT calculation showed that catalyst could effectively reduce adsorption energy *CHCOH intermediate promote mass charges, thus improving FEC2H4. After into center d orbitals shift positively, which makes d–band closer Fermi level. Furthermore, density states increases due interaction between atoms intermediates, accelerating electrochemical process. work proved metal strategy can improve catalytic properties providing useful way cycling green production C2H4.