Synergistic effect of Cu and Fe small nanoparticles supported on porous N-doped graphitic framework for selective electrochemical CO ₂ reduction at low overpotential

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction is an appealing approach to diminish CO₂ emissions, while obtaining valuable chemicals and fuels from renewable electricity. However, efficient electrocatalysts exhibiting high selectivity and low operating potentials are still needed. Herein it is reported that Cu and Fe nanoparticles supported on porous N-doped graphitic carbon matrix are efficient and selective electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction to CO at low overpotentials. XRD and Raman spectroscopy confirmed independent Cu and Fe metals as the main phases. HRSEM and HRTEM images show the coral-like morphology of the porous N-doped graphitic carbon matrix supporting Cu and Fe metal nanoparticles (about 10 wt%) homogeneously distributed with an average size of 1.5 nm and narrow size distribution. At the optimum Fe/Cu ratio of 2, this material present high activity for CO₂ reduction to CO at -0.3 V vs. RHE with a faradaic efficiency of 96%. Moreover, at -0.5 V vs. RHE this electrocatalyst produces 27.8 mmol of CO g_cat^-1 h^-1, the production rate being stable for 17 h. A synergy between Cu and Fe nanoparticles due to their close proximity in comparison with independent Cu or Fe electrocatalysts was observed.