Size-Dependency of Electrochemically Grown Copper Nanoclusters Derived from Single Copper Atoms for the CO Reduction Reaction.

Electrochemically grown copper nanoclusters (CuNCs: < 3 nm) from single-atom catalysts have recently attracted intensive attention as electrocatalysts for CO2 and CO reduction reaction (CO2RR/CORR) because they exhibit distinct product selectivity compared with conventional Cu nanoparticles (typically larger than 10 nm). Herein, we conducted a detailed investigation into the size dependence of CuNCs on selectivity for multicarbon (C2+) production in CORR. These nanoclusters were electrochemically grown from single Cu atoms dispersed on covalent triazine frameworks (Cu-CTFs).

Quantitative Analysis and Manipulation of Alkali Metal Cations at the Cathode Surface in Membrane Electrode Assembly Electrolyzers for CO Reduction Reactions.

The stable operation of the CO reduction reaction (CORR) in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzers is known to be hindered by the accumulation of bicarbonate salt, which are derived from alkali metal cations in anolytes, on the cathode side. In this study, we conducted a quantitative evaluation of the correlation between the CORR activity and the transported alkali metal cations in MEA electrolyzers. As a result, although the presence of transported alkali metal cations on the cathode surface significantly contributes to the generation of C compounds, the rate of K ion transport did not match the selectivity of C, suggesting that a continuous supply of high amount of K to the cathode surface is not required for C formation.