Boosting selectivity towards formate production using CuAl alloy nanowires by altering the CO 2 reduction reaction pathway.

Understanding the fundamentals behind an electrocatalyst's selectivity enables the ability to steer product formation. Herein, we study Cu nanowires doped with a small amount of Al (12%) for CO 2 R, which enhances formate production by 16.9% over pure Cu nanowires. Density functional theory calculations and COR were employed to posit the preference of the formate formation pathway as a result of the Al doping.