Copper single-atoms embedded in 2D graphitic carbon nitride for the CO2 reduction

Abstract We report the study of two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) functionalized with copper single atoms as a catalyst for reduction CO 2 (CO2RR). The correct GCN structure, well adsorption sites and coordination Cu atoms, was carefully determined by combining experimental techniques, such X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, absorption, photoemission spectroscopy, DFT theoretical calculations. CO2RR products in KHCO 3 phosphate buffer solutions were rotating ring disk electrode measurements confirmed 1 H-NMR gas chromatography. Formate only liquid product obtained bicarbonate solution, whereas hydrogen solution. Finally, we demonstrated that is promising substrate able to stabilize metal since characterization Cu-GCN system after electrochemical work did not show aggregation atoms.