Nanomaterials to Single atom catalysis by Laser Synthesis for CO₂ Electro-reduction into Methanol

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR) presents a sustainable pathway to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while producing valuable carbon-based fuels and chemicals. However, achieving selective and efficient CO₂ conversion remains a major challenge often limited by poor catalyst stability and low active site utilization. Herein we report a rapid, scalable laser induced technique for the synthesis of copper single atom catalysts (Cu-SACs) embedded into nitrogen doped graphitic matrix using carbon nanodots as a precursor. The laser process offers precise control over atomic dispersion eliminates the need of complex post-synthesis treatments and allows graphitization and metal nitrogen coordination in a single step. Advanced spectroscopic and macroscopic characterizations confirm the atomic dispersion of copper and the formation of a conductive porous graphitic network. We achieved the highest Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 87.27% methanol at -1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl with a reduction current density of -8 mA·cm^-2. Furthermore, composite demonstrated excellent stability, retaining its catalytic performance even after 12 hours of chronoamperometry testing without significant degradation attributed to the synergistic effects of atomic copper sites, nitrogen doping, and the conductive porous graphene network. This works highlights the synergistic benefits of laser-based synthesis and atomic level catalyst engineering in advancing efficient CO₂ to fuel conversion technologies.