Characteristic study of Cu-ceria nanomaterials for selective electrochemical CO$_2$ reduction reaction

Abstract

Ceria (CeO$_2$) is one of the most widely used metal oxides of the rare earth metals. Crucially, ceria has synergistic effects with various active metals via strong metal–support interactions. As a result, it is attracting attention as a catalyst material for the electrochemical CO$_2$ reduction reaction (eCO$_2$RR). Cu-ceria composites are known to have close interactions between adjacent Cu and Ce atoms. For example, not only can charge transfer between Cu atoms and ceria occur, but Cu metal loaded on the ceria catalyst support can be uniformly dispersed from nanometer scale to single atom scale. However, in-depth studies are needed to utilize the properties at the catalyst interface. In this study, Cu-ceria nanomaterials were synthesized and analyzed at each step of the synthetic process, and the change in interface properties was analyzed in detail by giving variables such as defect and morphology change of the ceria support. Through this, a comprehensive understanding of the Cu/ceria interface as well as high efficiency as an electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction catalyst were achieved.