Woong Choi Younghyun Chae Ershuai Liu Dongjin Kim Walter S. Drisdell Hyung-suk Oh Jai Hyun Koh Dong Ki Lee Ung Lee Da Hye Won 2024-11-15T11:30:42Z 2024-11-15T11:30:42Z 2024-11-12 2024-09 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/151063 Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) cells incorporating Cu catalysts are effective for generating C2+ chemicals via the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the impact of MEA configuration on the inevitable reconstruction of Cu catalysts during CO2RR remains underexplored, despite its considerable potential to affect CO2RR efficacy. Herein, we demonstrate that MEA cells prompt a unique reconstruction of Cu, in contrast to H-type cells, which subsequently influences CO2RR outcomes. Utilizing three Cu-based catalysts, specifically engineered with different nanostructures, we identify contrasting selectivity trends in the production of C2+ chemicals between H-type and MEA cells. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, alongside ex-situ analyses in both cell types, indicates that MEA cells facilitate the reduction of Cu2O, resulting in altered Cu surfaces compared to those in H-type cells. Time-resolved CO2RR studies, supported by Operando analysis, further highlight that significant Cu reconstruction within MEA cells is a primary factor leading to the deactivation of CO2RR into C2+ chemicals. English Nature Publishing Group Exploring the influence of cell configurations on Cu catalyst reconstruction during CO2 electroreduction Article 10.1038/s41467-024-52692-w 1 Nature Communications, v.15, no.1 Nature Communications 15 1 N scie scopus 001377340000046 2-s2.0-85205275732 Multidisciplinary Sciences Science & Technology - Other Topics Article REDUCTION CO(2)REDUCTION ELECTRODES CONVERSION