Highly Efficient Tandem Electrosynthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate From CO 2

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Authors: Hui Guo, Weixuan Chen, Duan‐Hui Si, Qiang Zhang, Qiao Wu, Yuan‐Biao Huang, Rong Cao
Cited by: 3
References: 44

Abstract

ABSTRACT Current DMC production is energy‐intensive, while generating CO 2 emissions. Electrosynthesis of DMC from CO 2 offers a sustainable alternative but faces challenges of inert CO 2 activation and unfavorable C‐O coupling, leading to low selectivity and current density. Herein, we propose a tandem electrocatalysis strategy for efficient DMC production from CO 2 under ambient conditions, utilizing a cobalt polyphthalocyanine framework (CoPPc) with single‐atom sites and atomically precise palladium‐sulfur clusters (Pd 6 S 12 ). The CoPPc‐Pd 6 S 12 tandem catalyst system synergistically activates CO 2 and enhances mass transport, elevating the local concentration of key intermediates (CO and methoxy species) for improving DMC production efficiency. Thus, the tandem system delivers exceptional performance with 93.4% DMC selectivity and 34.9 mmol L −1 h −1 production in 0.1 M NaBr methanol electrolyte, while achieving a recorded current density of 155.2 mA cm −2 at 0.5 M electrolyte concentration. In situ generated CO and methoxy over CoPPc efficiently transfer to the Pd‐S site, where achieves intermediate stabilization and optimal coupling orientation, boosting DMC selectivity and current density. Moreover, DFT calculations reveal that the CoPPc‐Pd 6 S 12 system reduces the energy barrier for C‐O coupling, facilitating DMC formation. This work provides an efficient tandem electrocatalysis system for DMC production from CO 2 with high selectivity and large current density.

Fields of Study & Subjects

CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction

Publication details

Journal / source
Angewandte Chemie
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
138
Issue
11
Publication date
3 February 2026
Language
EN