The objective of this project is to create electrodes with novel nanostructures that can be used for the electrochemical synthesis of fuels and chemicals such as methanol directly from carbon dioxide (CO₂) by a dry process. In this year, as a basic experiment, we prepared gold (Au) and copper (Cu) thin films by ion plating and investigated the relationship between their structures and electrochemical reduction properties. In addition, we also investigated the change in properties when the surfaces were treated with argon sputtering. As a result, it was found that the surface treatment by argon sputtering decreased the efficiency of formic acid formation and increased the efficiency of carbon monoxide (CO) formation. In addition to CO and hydrogen, methane and methanol were also produced in the Cu thin film with higher partial current density than in the Au thin film. Based on this basic data, we will design a new composite electrode.