N-Graphene Sheet Stacks/Cu Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction to Ethylene

Renewable energy resources (wind, solar) are unpredictable, so it is wise to store the electricity they generate in an carrier X. Various PtX (power useful energy-intensive raw material such as hydrogen, synthetic natural gas, fuel) applications have been proposed. At heart of our work widely used idea convert residual CO2 from biogas plant into higher hydrocarbons using renewables (e.g., sun, wind, hydro). The specific goal produce ethylene-highly demanded hydrocarbon plastics industry. process itself realised on electrocatalytic carbon/copper cathode which must be selective reaction: 2CO2 + 12e? 12H+?C2H4 4H2O. We propose a bottom-up approach build catalyst smallest particles-graphene sheet stacks (GSS) coated with metallic copper nanocrystals. Composite GSS-Cu structure functions and proton absorber, facilitating hydrogenation carbon–carbon coupling reactions Cu-nanocluster/GSS for formation C2H4. In design electrode made nitrogen-doped graphene nanostructures. N-GSSitself can drop-casted or electrophoretically incorporated onto carbon paper gas diffusion electrode. Electrochemical deposition method was recognized successful most promising grow Cu nanocrystals N-GSS conducting substrate. Gaseous products electro-catalytic reformation were investigated by mass-spectrometer but surface analysed SEM/EDS XRD methods.