Effect of halides on nanoporous Zn-based catalysts for highly efficient electroreduction of CO2 to CO

• Published in: Catalysis communications 2018-08, Vol.114, p.109-113
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Dang Le Tri, Jee, Michael Shincheon, Won, Da Hye, Oh, Hyung-Suk, Min, Byoung Koun, Hwang, Yun Jeong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO production; CO2 reduction reaction; Electrochemical surface area; Halide ion; Zn-based catalyst
• ISSN: 1566-7367; 1873-3905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catcom.2018.06.020

The effects of halide ions (F−, Cl−, Br−, or I−) on nanoporous Zn-based electrocatalysts were assessed. All catalysts in the presence of halides exhibited high electrocatalytic performances of CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) and efficient suppression of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of up to 97%. The increasing adsorption strength from F− to I− is proposed to form more porous structures and higher oxidized Zn species, thus facilitating the protonation of CO2 and stabilizing the adsorbed intermediates induced by charge donation from the adsorbed halides on Zn surface to CO2, enhance CO2RR and simultaneously suppress HER. [Display omitted] •Halide ions influence on selective CO2 to CO production with Zn-electrocatalyst.•Different halides change surface roughness and proportion in the metallic Zn state.•Enhanced activity is attributed to the specific interaction strengths of halides.•Zn-catalysts with Cl−, Br−, or I− obtain high CO selectivity of up to 97%.•F− has a distinctive effect on Zn-catalyst with low CO selectivity.