# Precursor-Directed Thermal Synthesis of Copper Catalysts for Tunable CO2 to CH4 and C2H4 Conversion at Industrial Current Densities

## TL;DR

Researchers developed a scalable method to create copper catalysts that efficiently convert CO2 into methane and ethylene at industrial levels.

## Contribution

A low-cost, precursor-directed thermal synthesis method for tunable CO2 electroreduction catalysts is introduced.

## Key findings

- Different copper precursors yield nanostructured catalysts with varying selectivity for CH4 and C2H4.
- High Faradaic efficiencies were achieved under flow conditions at industrial current densities.
- Precursor chemistry controls active phase formation and product distribution in CO2 electroreduction.

## Abstract

Scalable copper catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction have been prepared through precursor-directed thermal synthesis, enabling tunable conversion to CH4 and C2H4 at industrial current densities. Thermal treatment of distinct copper precursor salts was found to yield nanostructured catalysts with composition- and morphology-dependent selectivity, and high Faradaic efficiencies under flow conditions. This simple, low-cost process demonstrates that precursor chemistry can control active phase formation and product distribution, providing a practical route toward scalable CO2 electroreduction.