Silver/Copper Interface for Relay Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene.

CO2 electroreduction provides an effective solution on CO2 emission and greenhouse effect. However, it is a big challenge to produce hydrocarbon fuels with high energy density via the electroreduction of CO2. Here we report the efficient production of ethylene by constructing Ag-Cu bimetallic catalyst with sharp interface; the Faradaic efficiency for ethylene formation is enhanced to 42%, more than 2 times that of pure Cu catalyst. The high yield of ethylene can be rationalized by the relay catalysis of Ag and Cu component around the Ag/Cu interface.