Fully exposed nickel clusters with electron-rich centers for high-performance electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

  • Qi Hao - , CAS - Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry (Author)
  • Qi Tang - , CAS - Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) (Author)
  • Hai Xia Zhong - , Chair of Molecular Functional Materials (cfaed), Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), CAS - Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry (Author)
  • Jia Zhi Wang - , CAS - Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) (Author)
  • Dong Xue Liu - , Jilin University (Author)
  • Xin Bo Zhang - , CAS - Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) (Author)

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted increasing concerns in electrocatalysis because of their maximal metal atom utilization, distinctive electronic properties, and catalytic performance. However, the isolated single sites are disadvantageous for reactions that require simultaneously activating different reactants/intermediates. Fully exposed metal cluster catalyst (FECC), inheriting the merits of SACs and metallic nanoparticles, can synergistically adsorb and activate reactants/intermediates on their multi-atomic sites, demonstrating great promise in electrocatalytic reactions. Here a facile method to regulate the atomic dispersion of Ni species from cluster to single-atom scale for efficient CO2 reduction was developed. The obtained Ni FECC exhibits high Faradaic efficiency of CO up to 99%, high CO partial current density of 347.2 mA cm−2, and robust durability under 20 h electrolysis. Theoretical calculations illuminate that the ensemble of multiple Ni atoms regulated by sulfur atoms accelerates the reaction kinetics and thus improves CO production.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1477-1485
Number of pages9
JournalScience Bulletin
Volume67
Issue number14
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jul 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Carbon dioxide reduction reaction, Fully exposed metal sites, Industrial current density, Nickel clusters, Sulfur regulation