Bang, Hyeon-Seok Ko, Young-Jin Jeon, Hyo Sang Huh, Eugene Kim, Eung Dab Ha, Min Gwan Lim, Chulwan Jeon, Jiho Ka, Seohyeon Kim, Dogyeong Zhang, Xiaojie Kim, Yeongjin Kim, Kyeongsu Lee, Woong Hee Choi, Jae-Young Oh, Hyung-Suk 2025-08-31T03:30:14Z 2025-08-31T03:30:14Z 2025-08-27 2026-01 1616-301X https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/153080 Designing structurally robust and functionally active catalysts is essential for advancing CO2 electroreduction toward multicarbon (C2+) products. Here, a crystallinity-engineering strategy is reported to regulate the reconstruction behavior of CuO nanorod catalysts and stabilize critical surface features that promote C─C coupling. Specifically, low-polycrystalline CuO (LP-CuO) nanorods undergo directional reconstruction into rod-like metallic Cu structures under electrochemical conditions, effectively preserving surface hydroxides and partial Cu+ oxidation states. In-situ/operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms the retention of Cu(OH)2 species in LP-CuO, while surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy reveals the generation of abundant C2+ intermediates and a blueshift in interfacial water vibrations, indicating increased free water and enhanced proton-donor activity. This interplay between stabilized surface hydroxides and interfacial water dynamics enables efficient C─C coupling and selective C2+ production, achieving a partial current density of 984 mA cm−2. The findings provide fundamental insights into the structure–function relationship of Cu-based catalysts and establish crystallinity modulation as a generalizable design principle for high-performance and durable electrocatalysts in CO2 conversion technologies. English John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Tailored Reconstruction of Polycrystalline CuO Nanorods Promotes C―C Coupling in CO2 Electroreduction Article 10.1002/adfm.202511894 1 Advanced Functional Materials, v.36, no.5 Advanced Functional Materials 36 5 Y scie 001547155700001 2-s2.0-105012629081 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary Chemistry, Physical Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Physics, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Chemistry Science & Technology - Other Topics Materials Science Physics Article EMISSIONS NANOPARTICLES POPULATION REDUCTION ETHANOL METALS COPPER CELL C2+ products copper nanorod electrocatalyst electrochemical CO2 reduction free water low polycrystalline CuO nanorods