Fabricating Cu, Cu₂O and hybrid Cu-Cu₂O nanoparticles in carbon matrix and exploring catalytic activity of oxygen and hydrogen evolution and green A³-coupling reaction

Hybrid Cu-Cu₂O as well as Cu and Cu₂O@C nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated by carbon matrix have been synthesized and bifunctional electrocatalytic activity (OER and HER) and A³ coupling (three components reaction) were explored. Powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) studies were performed to analyse structure, chemical state, and size of the nanocatalysts. Hybrid Cu-Cu₂O@C materials exhibited stronger electrocatalytic activity compared to pure phases whereas pure Cu and Cu₂O@C NPs displayed better catalytic activity for A³ coupling reaction. Oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction (OER and HER) showed enhanced current response (57.8 mA cm⁻² and −172 mA cm⁻²) for hybrid NPs with higher Cu₂O ratio. Thus, the present work investigated the role of Cu and Cu₂O ratio for fabricating earth abundant cost effective nanocatalysts for OER, HER, and organic chemical transformation. (paper)