Ligand-engineered copper nanoclusters could help combat CO2 emissions
While humble copper (Cu) may not have the allure of gold or silver, its remarkable versatility makes it invaluable in cutting-edge research. Scientists from Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Science, and the University of Adelaide have worked together to introduce a breakthrough method to improve the selectivity and sustainability of electrochemical CO22 Restoration process. By designing the surface of copper nanoclusters (NCs) at the atomic level, the team opened up new possibilities for efficient and environmentally friendly carbon conversion technologies. This breakthrough not only demonstrates the transformative potential of copper in sustainable chemistry, but also highlights the critical impact of global collaboration in tackling pressing challenges such as carbon emissions.
The results were published in small December 4, 2024.
Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2In recent years, RR) has received considerable attention for its potential to transform excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere2 into valuable products. Among the various nanocatalysts studied, NCs stand out for their unique advantages over larger nanoparticles. Within this family, Cu NCs show great promise in forming variable products, high catalytic activity, and sustainability. Despite these advantages, achieving precise control of product selectivity at an industrial scale remains a challenge. Therefore, current research is mainly focused on refining these properties to unlock the full potential of Cu NCs in sustainable CO22 Convert.
“To achieve this breakthrough, our team had to modify the NC at the atomic scale,” explains Professor Yuichi Negishi of Tohoku University. “However, this was very challenging because the geometry of the NC heavily relied on what we needed to change. Precise parts.
They successfully synthesized two Cu₁₄NCs with the same structure by changing the surface thiol ligands (PET: 2-phenylethanethiol; CHT: cyclohexanethiol). Overcoming this limitation requires the development of a carefully controlled reduction strategy that enables the creation of two structurally identical NCs with different ligands, which is an important step in NC design. However, the team observed changes in the stability of these NCs, which they attributed to differences in inter-cluster interactions. These differences play a crucial role in shaping the sustainability of these NCs in catalytic applications.
Although these NCs have almost identical geometries derived from two different thiolate ligands, they exhibit significantly different product selectivities when it comes to their catalytic activity towards CO.2 Restore testing was performed. These changes can affect the overall efficiency and selectivity of CO2RR.
Negishi concluded: “These findings are critical to advancing the design of Cu NCs, which combine stability with high selectivity, paving the way for more efficient and reliable electrochemical CO.”2 Emission reduction technology.
2024-12-13 17:54:51