Issue 17, 2021

In/ZnO@C hollow nanocubes for efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate and rechargeable Zn–CO2 batteries

Abstract

Indium (In)-based materials are considered promising electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction to formic acid, but their performance is usually limited by low current density and poor stability. Here, we describe In/ZnO@C hollow nanocubes (NCs), derived from In(OH)3-doped Zn-MOF (i.e. ZIF-8) solid nanocubes, as high-performance CO2-reduction electrocatalysts. The unique nanocube morphology of Zn-MOF makes it an ideal matrix for dispersing In(OH)3 which can avoid aggregation. The formation of a hollow structure is associated with metallic In formation and CO2/CO gas release, resulting from the carbothermal reduction reaction between In(OH)3 and the carbon matrix. In/ZnO@C NCs exhibit excellent catalytic activity and selectivity for formate production, reaching a partial current density of 23.5 mA cm−2 with a Faradaic efficiency of 90% at −1.2 V vs. RHE in 0.5 M aqueous KHCO3 solutions, which is greatly superior to In-free ZnO@C NCs and simple In nanoparticles. Solar-driven electrochemical CO2/H2O splitting can be realized by coupling the In/ZnO@C cathode with a RuO2 anode, offering a promising route to the storage of renewable energy. As a promising technique for CO2 fixation/utilization and energy conversion/storage, an aqueous rechargeable Zn–CO2 battery with In/ZnO@C as the cathode is also constructed. It can output electrical energy with an open-circuit voltage of 1.35 V and a peak power density of 1.32 mW cm−2 while simultaneously realizing CO2 conversion to formate. The Zn–CO2 battery with In/ZnO@C inspires the development of green energy conversion and storage systems combining eco-efficient CO2 utilization.

Graphical abstract: In/ZnO@C hollow nanocubes for efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate and rechargeable Zn–CO2 batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
05 জুন 2021
Accepted
14 জুলাই 2021
First published
14 জুলাই 2021

Mater. Chem. Front., 2021,5, 6618-6627

In/ZnO@C hollow nanocubes for efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate and rechargeable Zn–CO2 batteries

X. Teng, Y. Niu, S. Gong, M. Xu, X. Liu, L. Ji and Z. Chen, Mater. Chem. Front., 2021, 5, 6618 DOI: 10.1039/D1QM00825K

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