Absorption spectroscopy

X-ray absorption fine structure

Chemistry

Materials science

Engineering

Selectivity

Physics

Rational design

Chemical state

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Catalysis

Oxidation state

Spectroscopy

Quantum mechanics

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Inorganic chemistry

Chemical engineering

X-ray absorption spectroscopy

ACS Catalysis

Efficient and active catalysts with high selectivity for hydrocarbons and other valuable chemicals during stable operation are crucial. We have taken advantage of low-pressure oxygen plasmas to modify dendritic Cu catalysts and were able to achieve enhanced selectivity toward C2 and C3 products. Utilizing operando spectroscopic methods such as X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (XAFS) and quasi in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we observed that the initial presence of oxides in these catalysts before the reaction plays an inferior role in determining their catalytic performance as compared to the overall catalyst morphology. This is assigned to the poor stability of the Cu x O species in these materials under the conditions of electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 (CO2RR). Our findings shed light into the strong structure/chemical state-selectivity correlation in CO2RR and open venues for the rational design of more effective catalysts through plasma pretreatments.

Plasma-Modified Dendritic Cu Catalyst for CO<sub>2</sub> Electroreduction

Plasma-Modified Dendritic Cu Catalyst for CO2 Electroreduction

Plasma-Modified Dendritic Cu Catalyst for CO₂ Electroreduction