One‐Pot Solvothermal Synthesis of Carbon Black‐Supported CuO for Catalysis of CO2 Electroreduction.

Here we propose a simple one‐pot solvothermal method to synthesize well‐dispersed CuO catalysts over carbon black surface for application in CO2 electrolysis. Although simple, the route produced catalysts with good performance even in lower CuO contents, increasing the efficiency of the catalytic layer. Films prepared by straightforward dropping on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) substrates were stable (up to 30 hours), showing good activity for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) and controlling the competitive H2 evolution to preferentially form CO2 reduction products (CO, formic acid, ethanol, and acetic acid). The results showed values of almost 50 % of faradaic efficiency for products of CO2 reduction, comparable with other more elaborated catalysts reported in the literature, even utilizing cheap support, easy synthesis, and lower potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]