Keeping sight of copper in single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction.

Creissen, Charles E; Fontecave, Marc · Nat Commun · 2022

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Carbon dioxide can be electrochemically converted into valuable multi-carbon products using Cu-based single-atom catalysts. However, transient cluster formation, which is undetectable using ex-situ techniques, may be responsible for C<sub>2+</sub> products. Here we discuss these observations to highlight the need for <i>operando</i> characterisation when defining active sites.