LAUSR

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into value-added fuels and feedstocks attracts worldwide attention to mitigate energy and environmental problems. However, pursuing highly efficient electrocatalyst is still a challenge. In this work, we demonstrate that cuprous oxide (Cu2O) modified by cucurbit[6]urils (Q[6]), a kind of rigid macromolecule, acts as an efficient supramolecular inorganic nanocomposite catalyst for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to C1 fuels. This catalyst is capable of achieving high total Faradaic efficiency (FECO + formate) of 93.96% at potential of -0.7 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode and over 85.00% from -0.6 to -0.9 V in 0.5 M KHCO3, which is higher than that of pure Cu2O (39.89%). The enhancements in selectivity and activity for CO2RR could significantly benefit from the strong CO2 adsorption capacity and hydrophobic nature of the cavity of Q[6], which simultaneously trap gaseous reactants near the catalyst to tune the local environment and limit the diffusion of water molecules. This study provides a valid strategy to adjust catalytic environments through supramolecular engineering.