Electrocatalytic acetylene semi-hydrogenation (EASH) provides a petroleum-independent strategy for ethylene production.However, the challenges ofhigh overpotentialsand strong hydrogen evolution competition reaction over conventional electrocatalysts at industrial current densitiesresult in substantialenergy consumption, limiting the practical application of EASH technology. Herein, zinc-doped coppercatalysts are designedand prepared via a facile impregnationand electroreduction relay method. The as-prepared Cu-2.7Zn catalyst exhibits an ethylene partial current density of -0.29 A cm-2with a Faradaicefficiency of 96% anda reaction potential of -0.62 Vversus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), surpassing the previously reported electrocatalysts. The combined results of experimental tests and theoretical calculations demonstrate zinc doping significantly enhances acetylene adsorption and accelerates reaction kinetics, leading to a notable decreasein overpotential.Furthermore, the increased *H-*H binding energy barrier and the improved ethylenedesorption on Cu-2.7Zn effectively suppress hydrogen evolutionand acetylene over-hydrogenation, contributing tothe enhancement of ethylene Faradaic efficiency.
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