Development of Atomically Precise Copper Nanoclusters for Electrochemical CO2 and NO2 Reduction Reactions

 

Development of Atomically Precise Copper Nanoclusters for Electrochemical CO₂ and NO₂ Reduction Reactions

 

Date: 4^th November, 2025 (Tuesday)

Time: 12 - 12:50 pm (HKT)

 

Venue: Lecture Theatre P3, Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building

 

 

Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials

Tohoku University

Atomically precise copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) represent a new frontier in catalysis, offering tunable electronic structures, abundant active sites, and unique surface environments that differ significantly from their bulk or nanoparticle counterparts. In our laboratory, we have successfully developed a series of monodisperse, thiolate-protected Cu nanoclusters with well-defined compositions and geometries. These nanoclusters were synthesized under carefully optimized conditions and fully characterized using a suite of spectroscopic and structural techniques.

 

We demonstrate that these Cu NCs act as highly active and selective catalysts for two important electrochemical transformations: (i) the reduction of CO₂ to value-added carbon-based fuels and chemicals, and (ii) the reduction of NO₂^- to NH₃, a key intermediate in sustainable nitrogen-cycle management. Mechanistic insights suggest that the enhanced performance arises from synergistic effects between the ligand shell, surface oxidation states, and the intrinsic quantum confinement of the metal core. Our results highlight the potential of molecularly designed Cu NCs as a versatile platform for developing next-generation electrocatalysts tailored for environmental and energy-related applications [1-3].

 

[1] S. Biswas, Y. Negishi et al. Small 2025, 21, 2500302.

[2] Y. Shingyouchi, Y. Negishi et al. Small 2025, 21, 2570126.

[3] S. Biswas, Y. Negishi et al. Small Sci. 2025, 5, 2400465.