Tuning the catalytic selectivity in electrochemical CO2 reduction on copper oxide-derived nanomaterials

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to hydrocarbons can relieve both environmental and energy stresses. However, electrocatalysts for this reaction usually suffer from a poor product selectivity and a large overpotential. Here we report that tunable catalytic selectivity for hydrocarbon formation could be achieved on Cu nanomaterials with different morphologies. By tuning the electrochemical parameters, either Cu oxide nanowires or nanoneedles were fabricated and then electrochemically reduced to the corresponding Cu nanomaterials. The Cu nanowires preferred the formation of C2H4, while the Cu nanoneedles favored the production of more CH4, rather than C2H4. Our work provides a facile synthetic strategy for preparing Cu-based nanomaterials to achieve selective CO2 reduction.