Scientists propose new strategy for carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission has become a global problem. Efficient conversion of CO₂ into value-added liquid fuels is one method to fix CO₂, and it can alleviate the growing shortage of non-renewable fossil fuels at the same time.

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to value-added products has obtained attention worldwide in recent years owing to its mild reaction conditions and high energy efficiency. However, it remains a challenge to achieve a large current density with a high Faraday efficiency.

Recently, a research team led by Prof. Liu Licheng from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) proposed a new strategy for improving the catalytic activity of transition metal catalysts for CO₂ electrocatalytic reduction.

The researchers found that directly coating the amino-functionalized carbon layer can effectively regulate the electronic structure of the non-precious metal catalyst SnS.

This approach would accelerate the electron conduction efficiency and enhance the adsorption energies of OCHO and CO₂, increasing the reaction current density and formate production.

The related findings were published in Advanced Energy Materials.