Laser-Induced Synthesis of Copper-Based Nanomaterials for CO2 Electroreduction into Methanol

Decoupling carbon emissions from technological advancement remains one of the primary challenges in energy research. Policymakers now recognize that carbon must not only be captured but also used to ensure the economic viability of carbon removal strategies. Among various approaches, the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) using copper-based catalysts has garnered significant attention. In this study, we developed a single-step, direct laser-induced technique to embed copper nanocatalysts onto graphene films, which resulted in copper-embedded laser-induced graphene using carbon nanodots as the building blocks (Cu-rCND). The high dispersion and integration of these Cu-rCND composite films exhibit enhanced activity and selectivity compared with conventional copper-based catalysts. We systematically investigated the effects of particle size, the graphitization level of the graphene support, and varying copper concentrations on electrocatalytic performance. The optimal Cu-rCND composite, containing 4.1% copper, efficiently converted CO2 into methanol as the primary liquid product, achieving a Faradaic efficiency of 74.8% at −1.20 V vs Ag/AgCl in a CO2-saturated 0.5 M NaHCO3 electrolyte. Furthermore, the 4.1% Cu-rCND composite demonstrated excellent stability, retaining its catalytic performance even after 12 h of chronoamperometry testing without significant degradation. These results highlight the exceptional catalytic activity and stability of the Cu-rCND nanocomposite, positioning it as a promising candidate for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals and addressing critical environmental and energy challenges.