| Abstract | In this study, Copper-modified Co₃O₄ (Cu/Co₃O₄) catalysts were investigated for the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction at 200–400 °C under different CO₂ : H₂ ratios. It was found that the electrocatalytic performance of Co₃O₄ was improved by loading 4 weight percent (wt.%) Cu nanoparticles (average size: 13 nm), which could be then used as an electrode in electrochemical promotion of catalysis (EPOC) studies. Under the applied voltages of +2 V and −1 V, the catalytic rates were suppressed and increased by about 40 % and 14 %, respectively. This was due to the changes in the active oxidation states of Cu and Co caused by O²⁻ migration under polarization, as confirmed by XPS, XRD, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The study also revealed that the exchange current density (i₀) was counter-correlated with the open-circuit catalytic rate (r₀) and could serve as an informative tool for predicting the catalytic rate, which was demonstrated for the first time in the instance of RWGS reaction. |
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