Carbon-supported copper catalysts for CO₂ reduction to methane, ethylene, and ethanol.
XT copper catalysts are carbon-supported powders for the CO₂ reduction reaction. Loadings are available on Vulcan XC-72R and Ketjenblack. Platinum–copper, where listed, is a separate powder.
In a CO₂ electrolyzer, copper is the cathode catalyst. Unlike silver, which is used for carbon monoxide, copper can carry the reduction on to methane, ethylene, and ethanol. The product split depends on the surface and the operating conditions. The anode catalyst is selected separately. The same copper-on-carbon powders are used for nitrate reduction to ammonia and for electrochemical sensors.
Platinum–copper is used for oxygen-reduction research. It is not the CO₂ reduction catalyst.
These powders are not the industrial methanol-synthesis catalyst. That process uses copper on an oxide support. The carbon support disperses the copper for ink formulation and electrode development. The powders can also be coated into gas diffusion electrodes.
