Sulfide-Derived Copper for Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Formic Acid.

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has gained attention recently due to rising concern over atmospheric carbon levels, but catalyst selectivity and efficiency remain a challenge, particularly for products other than CO. Here, we report the selective formation of formate using a sulfide-derived copper (SD-Cu) catalyst for CO2RR. On the basis of in situ and postelectrolysis spectroscopy, we propose that this selectivity is due to stronger binding of the CO intermediate originating from remaining subsurface sulfur atoms.