High-performance CuO/SiO 2 electrocatalysts for highly efficient electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to ethylene

Raman spectroscopy and theoretical calculations revealed that the presence of oxygen vacancies enhances the adsorption strength of the *CO intermediate on the catalyst. The accumulation of the *CO intermediate provides the basis for C-C coupling, whilst the reaction energy barrier for the key step of *CO dimerization is optimized, thereby facilitating the conversion of carbon dioxide into multi-carbon products.