Low Overpotential Electrochemical Reduction of CO to Ethanol Enabled by Cu/CuO Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Cuboids.

The electrochemical conversion of CO into value-added chemicals is a promising approach for addressing environmental and energy supply problems. In this study, electrochemical CO catalysis to ethanol is achieved using incorporated Cu/CuO nanoparticles into nitrogenous porous carbon cuboids. Pyrolysis of the coordinated Cu cations with nitrogen heterocycles allowed Cu nanoparticles to detach from the coordination complex but remain dispersed throughout the porous carbon cuboids.