Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to CH4 represents a promising pathway toward carbon neutrality, yet it is severely limited by sluggish multi-electron/proton transfer kinetics, low selectivity, and insufficient proton supply. Herein, we rationally fabricate a series of Cu-doped Er2O3 catalysts (Cu-Er2O3-x) via sequential precipitation and calcination, which engineer a strong built-in electric field (BIEF) for efficient and selective CO2-to-CH4 conversion. Cu doping triggers significant charge redistribution between Cu and Er2O3, forming positively charged Cu sites and a negatively polarized Er2O3 matrix. The generated BIEF reorients interfacial water into an H-near configuration, shortens the *H-catalyst distance, promotes water dissociation, and optimizes *CHO adsorption. The optimal Cu-Er2O3-6 catalyst achieves a high CH4 Faradaic efficiency of 60.79% and a large CH4 partial current density of −28.01 mA cm–2 at −1.6 V vs. RHE in an H-type cell, with outstanding 24 h stability. In situ ATR-SEIRAS, electrochemical tests, and DFT calculations reveal that BIEF-modulated water orientation and electronic optimization accelerate proton transfer and lower the energy barrier of the rate-determining *CHO→*CH2O step. This work provides a robust strategy for boosting CO2RR performance via BIEF engineering and *H–catalyst distance regulation, offering a valuable design principle for advanced CH4-selective electrocatalysts.
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Built-in electric field-regulated *H-catalyst distance enables efficient CO2-to-CH4 electroreduction
Nano Research
Available online: 29 June 2026
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