US 11,708,641 B2
Copper catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction to C2+ products
G. Tayhas R. Palmore, Providence, RI (US); and Taehee Kim, Providence, RI (US)
Assigned to Brown University, Providence, RI (US)
Filed by Brown University, Providence, RI (US)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/393,151.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/060,213, filed on Aug. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0042198 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. C25B 11/061 (2021.01); C25B 3/26 (2021.01); C25F 3/26 (2006.01); C25D 11/34 (2006.01); C25D 21/12 (2006.01); C25F 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC C25F 7/00 (2013.01) [C25B 3/26 (2021.01); C25B 11/061 (2021.01); C25D 11/34 (2013.01); C25D 21/12 (2013.01); C25F 3/26 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrochemical method comprising:
performing anodic halogenation of Cu foils; wherein the anodic halogenation comprises 60-100 s at 1.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for KCI, 60-90 s at 0.18 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for KBr, or 1-10 s at −0.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for KI;
performing subsequent oxide-formation in a KHCO3 electrolyte; and
performing an electroreduction in neutral KHCO3 to generate a copper catalyst comprising cubic structures of Cu and a surface roughness of less than 30; the catalyst capable to provide a faradaic efficiency ≥50% for C2H4 generation.