We report the study of two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) functionalized with copper single atoms as a catalyst for the reduction of CO2 (CO2RR). The correct GCN structure, as well as the adsorption sites and the coordination of the Cu atoms, was carefully determined by combining experimental techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, with DFT theoretical calculations. The CO2RR products in KHCO3 and phosphate buffer solutions were determined by rotating ring disk electrode measurements and confirmed by 1H-NMR and gas chromatography. Formate was the only liquid product obtained in bicarbonate solution, whereas only hydrogen was obtained in phosphate solution. Finally, we demonstrated that GCN is a promising substrate able to stabilize metal atoms, since the characterization of the Cu-GCN system after the electrochemical work did not show the aggregation of the copper atoms.

Cometto, C., Ugolotti, A., Grazietti, E., Moretto, A., Bottaro, G., Armelao, L., et al. (2021). Copper single-atoms embedded in 2D graphitic carbon nitride for the CO2 reduction. NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS, 5(1) [10.1038/s41699-021-00243-y].

Copper single-atoms embedded in 2D graphitic carbon nitride for the CO2 reduction

Ugolotti A.
Co-primo
;
Di Valentin C.;
2021

Abstract

We report the study of two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) functionalized with copper single atoms as a catalyst for the reduction of CO2 (CO2RR). The correct GCN structure, as well as the adsorption sites and the coordination of the Cu atoms, was carefully determined by combining experimental techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, with DFT theoretical calculations. The CO2RR products in KHCO3 and phosphate buffer solutions were determined by rotating ring disk electrode measurements and confirmed by 1H-NMR and gas chromatography. Formate was the only liquid product obtained in bicarbonate solution, whereas only hydrogen was obtained in phosphate solution. Finally, we demonstrated that GCN is a promising substrate able to stabilize metal atoms, since the characterization of the Cu-GCN system after the electrochemical work did not show the aggregation of the copper atoms.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
gCN, Cu-gCN, CO2 reduction, single atom catalyst
English
2-lug-2021
2021
5
1
63
open
Cometto, C., Ugolotti, A., Grazietti, E., Moretto, A., Bottaro, G., Armelao, L., et al. (2021). Copper single-atoms embedded in 2D graphitic carbon nitride for the CO2 reduction. NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS, 5(1) [10.1038/s41699-021-00243-y].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/338061
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