Interface Engineering of Nanostructured Metal Catalysts for Improved C02 Electrochemical Reduction

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2ER) into value-added chemicals and liquid fuels using renewable energy is a promising route for CO2 recycling. The realization of inexpensive and efficient metal-based electrocatalysts is crucial for improving its reaction kinetics for high energy efficiency and product selectivity; driving this technique to largescale industrial application. Apart from the commonly used surface structural and compositional regulation, engineering the interfaces of metal catalysts is an alternative and effective strategy for increasing the activity of reactive sites leading to enhanced electrocatalytic reactivity. The goal of this thesis work is the utilization of this strategy to develop low-cost and efficient CO2ER electrocatalysts; exploring the interfacial effects between metal catalysts and supporting materials or adsorbates on this reaction. In this context, three different kinds of hybrid catalysts have been developed by engineering the metal-metal interface, metalcarbon interface and metal-organic ligands interface, respectively. The influence of these interactions on CO2ER has been revealed accordingly.