@article{Ouyang2026, 
author = {Tianwei Ouyang and Hang Su and Shunai Che and Yuxi Fang},
title = {First-principles insight into helical distortion in chiral WSe2 for promoting C–C coupling in CO2 reduction},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {19},
number = {3},
pages = {94908369},
keywords = {density functional theory, C–C coupling, out-of-plane helical distortion, chirality-induced spin polarization},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2026.94908369},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2026.94908369},
abstract = {Catalytic conversion of CO2 into multi-carbon products represents a promising route for sustainable carbon utilization, yet its practical realization remains limited by the high energy barrier associated with C–C coupling. Here, we demonstrate that the out-of-plane helical distortion in chiral WSe2 (CWS), serving as a structural origin of symmetry breaking, induces a pronounced spin-momentum locking effect due to asymmetric spin-orbit coupling (SOC) introduced by helical distortion. This effect subsequently stabilizes the *OCCO intermediate, which markedly lowers the activation energy barrier for C–C coupling. Spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations incorporating SOC reveal that the helical distortion breaks inversion symmetry and generates an asymmetric spin-dependent potential landscape, producing momentum-locked spin textures and valley-contrasting Berry curvature. These spin-geometric features enable carrier populations near the band edges and induce localized spin polarization at the catalytic interface. At the catalytic interface, this chiral environment enhances *OCCO adsorption through stronger orbital overlap and interfacial charge transfer. Concurrently, out-of-plane lattice distortion facilitates electronic delocalization and spin-matched hybridization between CWS surface and adsorbed state *OCCO, thereby efficiently driving the conversion of *OCCO to the final product. This study establishes a quantum design principle for chiral helical catalysts that harnesses chirality-induced spin polarization to enhance CO2 conversion into multi-carbon products.}
}