Dual Sites on Graphitic Biochar for Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to Ethanol Conversion

Electrochemical application of biomass materials is a promising tactic for deceleration of global warming and utilization of resource. However, due to multiple proton electron transfers of the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), CO2-to-ethanol conversion remains a major challenge. Herein, it is reported that copper and copper oxide catalysts are supported on P-doped and carbonized Ceratophyllum demersum L. (Cu-CuO/P-CCDL) used for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to ethanol. High ethanol Faradaic efficiency of 38.9% is achieved at −1.5 VRHE. In addition, the stratified pore structure and high hydrophobicity of samples expose a wealth of active sites, which is conducive to mass/charge transfer. This work provides creative insight into the design of P-doped and carbonized biochar catalysts for CO2 electroreduction simultaneously.