Bimetallic effects on Zn-Cu electrocatalysts enhance activity and selectivity for the conversion of CO2 to CO

We report an active zinc-copper (Zn-Cu) bimetallic electrocatalyst for CO 2 reduction to CO, prepared by a facile galvanic procedure. Under moderate overpotentials, Zn-Cu catalysts that are Zn rich exhibit intrinsic activity formation superior of pure Zn, Cu, and Ag, the last which is state-of-the-art catalyst in electrolyzers. Combinatorial experiments involving physical vapor deposition reveal trends across system, corroborating high selectivity unrivaled other alloys intermetallics. Physical electrochemical characterization first principles theory origin this synergy electronic effect from sites stabilizes carboxyl intermediate during CO. Furthermore, integrating into gas-diffusion electrodes, we demonstrate effects lead improved electrocatalytic performance at industrially relevant currents. These insights provide design can guide future development efficient earth-abundant CO-producing electrocatalysts. • A galvanic-exchange synthesis procedure electrodes (>95%) Bimetallic stabilize Electrochemical promising strategy sustainable fuels chemicals when combined with carbon-free electricity. major challenge has been establishing robust discovery cost-effective catalysts, due complexity reaction networks. In work, discover between Cu promotes synergistic its component metals. The structure-property relationships obtained electrocatalysts reduction. achieve >7-fold enhancement relative Zn-based electrode, simply introducing small quantity atoms onto surface. Detailed mechanistic investigations improvement originates key