| Summary: | The ability to synthesize value-added chemicals directly from CO<sub>2</sub> will be an important technological advancement for future generations. Using solar energy to drive thermodynamically uphill electrochemical reactions allows for near carbon-neutral processes that can convert CO<sub>2</sub> into energy-rich carbon-based fuels. Here, we report on the use of inexpensive CuSn alloys to convert CO<sub>2</sub> into CO in an acetonitrile/imidazolium-based electrolyte. Synergistic interactions between the CuSn catalyst and the imidazolium cation enables the electrocatalytic conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> into CO at −1.65 V versus the standard calomel electrode (SCE). This catalyst system is characterized by overpotentials for CO<sub>2</sub> reduction that are similar to more expensive Au- and Ag-based catalysts, and also shows that the efficacy of the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction can be tuned by varying the CuSn ratio.
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