METAL NANOPARTICLE ELECTROCATLYSTS WITH CONFINEMENT CAVITY MORPHOLOGY FOR IMPROVED SELECTIVITY

摘要

The present description relates to an electrocatalyst that is composed of a catalytic metal, such as copper, and includes metal nanoparticles having a morphology including open nanocavities providing confinement of reactive intermediates to promote selective production of C3+ multi-carbon compounds, such as C3 alcohols, from gases like carbon monoxide (CO) under electroreduction conditions. The electrocatalyst nanoparticles can be spheroid and the open angle of the nanocavities can be between 45° and about 90° to enhance selectivity of C3+ multi-carbon compound production. This description also describes methods of electrocatalyst fabrication, which can include forming Cu₂O hollow nanoparticles, etching the nanoparticles to provide openings and form the nanocavities, and then subjecting the open-cavity CU₂O nanoparticles to electroreduction conditions in the presence of CO and an alkaline electrolyte to reduce the Cu₂O into metallic Cu. The electrocatalyst can be used to produce C3+ multi-carbon compounds, such as C3 alcohols useable as fuel.