Fig. 3: Characterization of Cu single-sites.

a The first derivatives of XANES spectra. b The corresponding k2-weighted Fourier transform spectra of EXAFS. c Fitting of k2-weighted EXAFS data of Al2O3-CuSAC, CeO2-CuSAC, and TiO2-CuSAC in the region of 1.0–2.5 Å. d The proposed Cu1-O3 configuration of Cu/metal-oxide SAC. Atomic models: Metal, yellow, Cu, bule; and O, red. e The Cu 2p XPS spectra. f The Raman spectra of CO adsorption on Cu/metal-oxide SACs, Cu2O, and Cu. g In-situ Raman spectra of CO adsorption on Al2O3-CuSAC for long-term electrolysis at −1.5 V without iR correction. h In-situ Raman spectra of CeO2-CuSAC for long-term electrolysis at −1.5 V without iR correction. Relevant source data are provided as a Source Data file.