Electrical pulses boost copper’s efficiency in turning CO2 into ethylene, ethanol fuelsPrabhat Ranjan Mishra
Interesting EngineeringFri, August 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM EDT
2 min read
Scientists have observed a remarkable growth in copper's ability to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuels. Their approach focuses on applying pulsed electric potential treatments to copper single crystal surfaces as model catalysts.
Researchers found that it can improve copper's ability to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuels like ethylene and ethanol.
Method addresses climate changeDemonstrated by scientists from the Interface Science Department at the Fritz Haber Institute, the method provides an alternative approach for the development of greener chemical processes by closing the carbon cycle and addressing climate change.
The method utilizes cutting-edge spectro-microscopy techniques to analyze the transformations undergone by copper surfaces with a combined spatial and chemical resolution.
Method uncovers changes in structure, oxidation state of copperScientists revealed that the research uncovers the changes in the structure and the oxidation state of the copper surface under dynamic reaction conditions that lead to improved CO2 conversion and tunable product selectivity.
Researchers also pointed out that the key to achieving selectivity tunability lies in the control of the pulsed-induced structural and chemical catalyst transformations. This study offers insights which could help to reduce CO2 emissions and producing renewable energy sources.
The method can significantly help in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a major contributor to global climate change.
Promising avenue for developing sustainable energy solutionsThe research team highlighted that the study offers a promising avenue for developing sustainable energy solutions.
By improving the efficiency of CO2 conversion, the findings could lead to more effective ways of reutilizing “climate-killer” greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide for the production of renewable fuels, according to researchers.
The innovative use of pulsed electric potential treatments on copper surfaces represents a step forward in the quest for cleaner energy technologies.
The team's newly developed method uses pulsed potentials in electrochemical treatments combined with in depth spectro-microscopy characterization methods (LEEM/XPEEM) to understand and ultimately tune the electro-catalytic properties of well-defined copper surfaces.
By applying alternating anodic (oxidizing) and cathodic (reducing) pulses, they observed that copper surfaces undergo changes in their structure (formation of specific crystalline facets) and oxidation state (generation and stabilization of Cu(I) species) that result in a more efficient conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons and alcohols, according to the study.
The team underlined that the pulsed treatments create two kinds of unique surface structures on copper. During the anodic pulse, inverted pyramid like structures with specific side facets are formed by site-selective dissolution of copper into the electrolyte.
Furthermore, at this anodic pulse (+0.6 V), the copper surface is oxidized, resulting in an about 1 nm thick film of Cu(I), according to the study.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/electrical-pulses-boost-copper-efficiency-234735529.html
