Radiation-induced divergent structural evolution of Cu2(OH)2CO3 and its impact on CO2 electroreduction

The electrochemical conversion of CO 2 into O 2 and multi-carbon products is essential for sustaining life and meeting material demands in deep-space exploration, yet the influence of cosmic radiation on electrocatalyst stability remains poorly understood. Herein, we report the radiation-induced structural evolution and associated catalytic CO 2 reduction decay of a Cu 2 (OH) 2 CO 3 electrocatalyst under simulated extraterrestrial environments using controlled hydrogen plasma and X-ray irradiation. Our findings demonstrate that hydrogen plasma irradiation markedly suppresses ethylene production during CO 2 reduction, shifting product selectivity toward formic acid, whereas X-ray irradiation also lowers the ethylene Faradaic efficiency with increasing CO evolution. Detailed structural analysis reveals that hydrogen plasma reduces surface Cu 2+ to Cu + , resulting in the formation of Cu 2 O species, while X-ray irradiation induces partial decomposition of Cu 2 (OH) 2 CO 3 into Cu(OH) 2 species. These distinct structural evolution pathways elucidate the underlying deactivation mechanisms and highlight the importance of designing radiation-resistant electrocatalytic systems for sustainable space exploration.