(9b) Mechanistic Analysis of Cu-Catalyzed Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Reaction

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) has been widely acknowledged as a key component in the global transition from fossil energy to renewable energy powered society to combat climate change. A prerequisite for wide deployment of CO₂RR processes is its economic viability, and thus the development of electrocatalysts capable of producing high value products is a focus of recent research. So far, Cu-based materials have shown unique ability in facilitating selective formation of valuable multicarbon products, however, the mechanistic pathways through which electrochemical transformations occur remain unclear. In this seminar, we will discuss the identification of the rate-determining step, determination of CO adsorption enthalpies at electrochemical conditions, and interception of elusive reaction intermediates in Cu-catalyzed CO₂RR via a combination of electrokinetic, in-situ spectroscopic and isotopic labeling investigations in our recent works. A mechanistic framework capable of rationalizing a significant fraction of literature results will be presented, and its implications on the selectivity control will be discussed.