Overcoming Copper Instability via Nickel Alloying for Efficient Plasmon‐Catalytic CO <sub>2</sub> Hydrogenation
Abstract
Abstract The development of efficient, stable, and low‐coat plasmonic catalysts for CO 2 hydrogenation via the reverse water‐gas shift (RWGS) reaction remains a significant challenge. Conventional Cu‐based plasmonic catalysts suffer from poor stability due to the valence state fluctuation, nanoparticle sintering, and CO poisoning. Herein, we report a low‐cost CuNi bimetallic plasmonic catalyst (CuNi/Al 2 O 3 ) that address these bottlenecks, achieving a remarkable CO production rate of 4813 µmol/g/h under light irradiation at a relatively low temperature (300 °C), outperforming conventional Cu‐based and noble metal catalysts. Systematic experimental and theoretical studies reveal that Ni incorporation enhances catalytic activity and stability by reducing activation energy, maintaining surface valence stability and suppressing nanoparticle sintering. In situ characterization further confirms that light not only drives the CO 2 hydrogenation via the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Cu but also synergizes with Ni to suppress CO poisoning and promote surface reducibility, ensuring long‐term stability. This work provides a rational design strategy for low‐cost, stable Cu‐based plasmonic catalysts and deepens the mechanistic understanding of alloy‐mediated plasmonic CO 2 conversion, offering insights for advancing solar‐driven CO 2 valorization.
Article Details
Authors (9)
Yaqin Wang
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
Feng Xue
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM)
Wanqing Zhang
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University
Dongxu Cao
New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Preparation Technology of Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Meixi Zhang
New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, and National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Preparation Technology of Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Zhuogen Li
College of Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Energy, School of Life Sciences, College of Physical Science and Technology, and Discipline of Intelligent Instrument and Equipment
Chao Zhan
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM)
Qin Kuang
College of Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Energy, School of Life Sciences, College of Physical Science and Technology, and Discipline of Intelligent Instrument and Equipment
Zhaoxiong Xie
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering