Tuning the selectivity of CO2 conversion to CO on partially reduced Cu2O/ZnO heterogeneous interface

Abstract The development of stable and efficient low‐cost electrocatalysts is conducive to the industrialization of CO 2 . The synergy effect between the heterogeneous interface of metal/oxide can promote the conversion of CO 2 . In this work, Cu 2 O/ZnO heterostructures with partially reduced metal/oxide heterointerfaces in Zn plates (CZZ) have been synthesized for CO 2 electroreduction in different cationic solutions (K + and Cs + ). Physical characterizations were used to demonstrate the heterojunction of Cu 2 O/ZnO and the heterointerfaces of metal/oxide; electrochemical tests were used to illustrate the enhancement of the selectivity of CO 2 to CO in different cationic solutions. Faraday efficiency for CO with CZZ as catalyst reaches 70.9% in K + solution (current density for CO −3.77 mA cm −2 and stability 24 h), and the Faraday efficiency for CO is 55.2% in Cs + solution (−2.47 mA cm −2 and 21 h). In addition, in situ techniques are used to elucidate possible reaction mechanisms for the conversion of CO 2 to CO in K + and Cs + solutions.