Cu Nanoparticle Infiltration via Metal-Organic Decomposition Ink for Superior Mass Activity in CO Electroreduction.

Choi, Juhyung; Park, Sejin; Kim, Dayeon; Kim, Hyun Chul; Yun, Hyewon; Hong, Yewon; An, Hyun Ji; Lee, Taemin et al. · Nano Lett · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Achieving stable operation at high currents remains challenging for gas diffusion electrode (GDE)-based CO electrolyzers. Herein, we demonstrate the importance of Cu nanoparticle infiltration into the microporous layer to enrich local CO accessibility and mitigate electrolyte crossover. A facile GDE preparation method is developed via the doctor-blading method using a Cu metal-organic decomposition (Cu MOD) ink to produce well-dispersed nanoparticles across the porous layer. This design produces highly selective C<sub>2+</sub> products at -1200 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> from the CO electroreduction reaction, achieving a remarkably high mass activity of approximately -28,000 A g<sup>-1</sup>. It is found that the Cu electrodes prepared by MOD improve a stable balanced gas-liquid-solid interface by CO transport across the hydrophobic microenvironment of the inherent microporous layer. Our insights offer perspectives on a scalable strategy for optimizing catalyst positioning and advancing stable GDEs with high mass activity.