Cu Nanoparticle Infiltration via Metal-Organic Decomposition Ink for Superior Mass Activity in CO Electroreduction

Abstract

Achieving stable operation at high currents remains challenging for gas diffusion electrode (GDE)-based CO electrolyzers. Herein, we demonstrate the importance of Cu nanoparticle infiltration into the microporous layer to enrich local CO accessibility and mitigate electrolyte crossover. A facile GDE preparation method is developed via the doctor-blading method using a Cu metal-organic decomposition (Cu MOD) ink to produce well-dispersed nanoparticles across the porous layer. This design produces highly selective C2+ products at -1200 mA cm-2 from the CO electroreduction reaction, achieving a remarkably high mass activity of approximately -28,000 A g-1. It is found that the Cu electrodes prepared by MOD improve a stable balanced gas-liquid-solid interface by CO transport across the hydrophobic microenvironment of the inherent microporous layer. Our insights offer perspectives on a scalable strategy for optimizing catalyst positioning and advancing stable GDEs with high mass activity.