Synthesis and Purification of Copper Nanocubes for Selective CO2 Reduction
Authors: Robert Lam, Jonah Glass-Hussain
Faculty Supervisor: Michael Enright
Department: Chemistry & Biochemistry
To ensure an environmentally sustainable economy, we must reduce our reliance on petroleum. This project seeks to move away from a petroleum-based economy by exploring selective CO2 reduction using carefully designed copper electrodes. Copper nanoparticles can be used to electro-catalytically reduce CO2 to carbon-based products, however, this process is typically nonselective. Here, we seek to improve CO2 reduction selectivity on copper by deploying highly faceted copper nanocubes on electrodes to guide selectivity towards high-value C2+ products and ethylene specifically. Characteristics such as shape, size, structure, and other exposed facets of the nanocube are fine-tuned to affect the catalytic selectivity of copper in self-assembled superlattices. Currently, our work has focused on the synthesis and purification strategies for copper nanocubes. Characterized by distinct, strong plasmonic properties present near 600-650 nm by UV-Vis, we demonstrate the successful scale-up of concentrated copper nanocubes. These concentrated batches will be used to deposit copper nanoparticles on electrodes for selective reduction of CO2 and ultimately pave the way for more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.