Highly Selective Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction to C 2 Products on a g-C 3 N 4 -Supported Copper-Based Catalyst.

Herein, a novel approach used to enhance the conversion of electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R), as well as the capacity to produce C 2 products, is reported. A copper oxide catalyst supported by graphite phase carbon nitride (CuO/g-C 3 N 4 ) was prepared using a one-step hydrothermal method and exhibited a better performance than pure copper oxide nanosheets (CuO NSs) and spherical copper oxide particles (CuO SPs). The Faradaic efficiency reached 64.7% for all the C 2 products, specifically 37.0% for C 2 H 4 , with a good durability at -1.0 V vs. RHE. The results suggest that the interaction between CuO and the two-dimensional g-C 3 N 4 planes promoted CO 2 adsorption, its activation and C-C coupling. This work offers a practical method that can be used to enhance the activity of electrochemical CO 2 R and the selectivity of C 2 products through synergistic effects.