Cobalt macrocyclic complex-catalyzed selective electroreduction of CO2 to CO

Abstract

Cobalt 5,15-diazaporphyrin as a novel molecular catalyst immobilized onto carbon nanotubes was developed for highly efficient electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction to CO with a faradaic efficiency above 99% at −0.7 V and −0.8 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode. Compared to cobalt phthalocyanine, the decrease in electronegative nitrogen atoms at the meso position effectively increases the electron density of the central metal, making it easier to react with Lewis acid CO₂.