Soochow University Researchers Utilize Carbene Bridging to Boost CO2 Conversion Efficiency Into High-Value Multi-Carbon Chemicals

Soochow University researchers use carbene dual-function bridging on Ag-Cu sites to achieve 80.3% selectivity in CO2 electroreduction to high-value chemicals.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 4:41 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert

Advancing Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction Selectivity

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction has long been viewed as a critical pathway for transforming greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels using renewable energy. However, the selective production of high-value multi-carbon chemicals, such as ethylene and ethanol, remains a significant technical hurdle due to the complex nature of carbon-carbon coupling. A collaborative research effort led by professors Jianmei Lu, Qingfeng Xu, and Youyong Li at Soochow University has introduced a sophisticated surface modification strategy that addresses these bottlenecks by enhancing the tandem synergy between different catalytic metals.

The Role of Carbene Dual-Function Bridging

The team’s breakthrough involves the self-assembly of carbenes onto an Ag-Cu2O surface through the in-situ deprotonation of imidazolium cations. This specific modification acts as a dual-function bridge between silver and copper sites, creating a more cohesive catalytic environment. According to the study published in the Chinese Journal of Catalysis, the introduction of these carbene species is the decisive factor in elevating the performance of the catalyst beyond what is possible with traditional unmodified silver-copper structures or pure copper oxide.

Achieving High-Efficiency Multi-Carbon Production

In experimental trials, the synthesized Ag-Cu2O-carbene catalyst demonstrated a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 80.3% for multi-carbon products at a current density of 400 mA cm-2. This high level of selectivity is particularly notable given the inherent difficulty in maintaining stable intermediate coverage during high-current operations. The researchers observed that the presence of carbene significantly outperformed pristine copper oxide, suggesting that the tailored interface allows for a much more controlled and productive chemical reaction under realistic electroreduction conditions.