Enhanced C2 and C3 Product Selectivity in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction on Carbon-Doped Copper Oxide Catalysts Prepared by Deep Eutectic Solvent Calcination

Copper and its oxides are the main catalyst materials able to promote formation of hydrocarbons from electrocatalytic CO2 conversion. Herein, we describe a novel preparation method for carbon-doped copper oxide catalysts based on an oxidative thermal treatment copper-containing deep eutectic solvents (DES). XRD EDX analysis samples show that at 500 °C in air prolonged time (60 min) provides exclusively copper(II) catalysts, whereas shorter calcination leads mixture less oxidized forms (Cu2O Cu0), CuO, higher carbon content DES. Chronoamperometry electrode containing prepared 0.5 M KHCO3 electrolyte reduction CuO species. The by use different DES, precursors times were used as electrocatalysts electrochemical reduction. Chemical products reveals enhanced selectivity toward C2 C3 DES galactose-urea with nanoparticles 60 min air. activity compared commercial showed product concentration −1.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl, rates 7.4, 6.0, 10.4 µmol h−1 cm−2 ethanol, n-propanol, ethylene, respectively.