DNA Based Immobilization for Improved Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Some aspects are generally related to electrocatalysts, for example, for use during electrocatalysis. In some embodiments, the electrocatalysts may be included in a system configured to perform electrocatalysis. For instance, a system may include an electrode that is associated with a first oligo- or polynucleotide and an electrocatalyst that is associated with a second oligo- or polynucleotide. According to some such embodiments, the first and second oligo- or polynucleotides may at least partially base pair and substantially tether the electrocatalyst to the electrode. In some cases, the electrocatalyst comprises nanoparticles comprising copper (Cu), which may be suitable to be configured in a system for the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2). Some aspects are related to electrocatalysts comprising copper nanoparticles having shapes and/or compositions that may desirably affect their electrocatalytic performance, for instance, the related faradaic efficiencies and/or product distributions obtained during electrocatalysis using the nanoparticles. Still other aspects are generally directed to related methods of making and/or using the electrocatalysts and/or systems.