Synthesis and Electrochemical Study of CuAu Nanodendrites for CO₂ Reduction

Authors

Siltamaki Dylan, Electrochemical Technology Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph,50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada;
Chen Shuai, Electrochemical Technology Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph,50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada;
Rahmati Farnood, Electrochemical Technology Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph,50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada;
Lipkowski Jacek, Electrochemical Technology Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph,50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada;
Chen Ai-Cheng, Electrochemical Technology Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph,50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada;Follow

Corresponding Author

Chen Ai-Cheng(aicheng@uoguelph.ca)

Abstract

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to carbon monoxide (CO) and other value-added products is an interesting approach for carbon-containing fuel synthesis using renewable and clean energy. The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ is one of the promising strategies for the storage of intermittent renewable energy resources. The development of electrocatalysts with high activity and stability is vital in the electrochemical CO₂ reduction process. In this study, copper and gold alloyed (CuAu) electrodes with nanodendritic structures were synthesized using a facile electrodeposition method. The CuAu nanodendrites with the atomic ratio of Cu to Au being approximately 1:1 demonstrated excellent catalytic activity for the electrochemical reduction of CO₂. Syngas, which is utilized as an intermediate in the production of synthetic natural gas, ammonia, and methanol, was the major product obtained under various applied potentials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) measurements revealed that the CuAu nanodendrtic catalyst had a much lower charge transfer resistance than Cu and Au electrodeposited catalysts. The CuAu nanodendrite catalyst is an intriguing material with potential applications for syngas production from CO₂.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

electrocatalysis, electrodeposition, CO2 reduction reaction, CuAu nanocomposite, nanodendrites

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.201253

Publication Date

2021-06-28

Online Available Date

2021-06-28

Revised Date

2021-04-16

Received Date

2021-02-22

Recommended Citation

Siltamaki Dylan, Chen Shuai, Rahmati Farnood, Lipkowski Jacek, Chen Ai-Cheng. Synthesis and Electrochemical Study of CuAu Nanodendrites for CO₂ Reduction[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2021 , 27(3): 278-290.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.201253
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol27/iss3/6