Facile synthesis of Cu–Ag bimetallic electrocatalyst with prior C2 products at lower overpotential for CO2 electrochemical reduction

Abstract

In this article, we reported the electrochemical reduction of CO2 at Cu–Ag bimetallic electrocatalysts, which can be facilely and reproducibly synthesized by hydrogen bubble template method and galvanic displacement reaction. An interesting finding was that the faradic yields of products can be tuned by changing the composition of the Ag component. The as-prepared catalyst can maintain higher activity and stability, especially the positively shifted potential to −0.74V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) of detectable 14% C2 products and suppression of H2 for the Cu–Ag catalyst with the replacement time of 10s. The synergistic effect of the catalyst has been reported to C2. In addition, the potential dependent rule for products was illustrated as well and volcano shape change towards C2 was worthy to be pointed. Our research will deepen the understanding of the surface electrocatalytic reaction and provide the insight into the factors to design excellent catalysts.