Hydride-doped Ag(17)Cu(10) nanoclusters as high-performance electrocatalysts for CO(2) reduction

The atomically precise metal electrocatalysts for driving CO(2) reduction reactions are eagerly pursued as they are model systems to identify the active sites, understand the reaction mechanism, and further guide the exploration of efficient and practical metal nanocatalysts. Reported herein is a nanocluster-based electrocatalyst for CO(2) reduction, which features a clear geometric and electronic structure, and more importantly excellent performance. The nanocatalysts with the molecular formula of [Ag(17)Cu(10)(dppm)(4)(PhC≡C)(20)H(4)](3+) have been obtained in a facile way. The unique metal framework of the cluster, with silver, copper, and hydride included, and dedicated surface structure, with strong (dppm) and labile (alkynyl) ligands coordinated, endow the cluster with excellent performance in electrochemical CO(2) reduction reaction to CO. With the atomically precise electrocatalysts in hand, not only high reactivity and selectivity (Faradaic efficiency for CO up to 91.6%) but also long-term stability (24 h), are achieved.