Issue 7, 2023

Nano-polyaniline enables highly efficient electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol in supporting electrolyte-free media and the detection of free-radical signals

Abstract

Metals and metal oxides are widely used as catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. Here, we report a low-cost catalyst based on nano-polyaniline polymerized on graphite for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 in CO2-saturated water free of supporting electrolytes. The nano-polyaniline electrode in this solution shows low resistance and low charge-transfer impedance (Rct), which leads to a rather high reduction current density (−16.8 mA cm−2) and low overpotential (−0.44 V vs. Ag/AgCl). This solution is environment-friendly and mimics that in photosynthesis. The free radical signal of CO2 was successfully detected during the reduction process. The 1H NMR result demonstrates that the only product formed was methanol.

Graphical abstract: Nano-polyaniline enables highly efficient electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol in supporting electrolyte-free media and the detection of free-radical signals

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
31 10 2022
Accepted
09 2 2023
First published
10 2 2023

Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 1385-1394

Nano-polyaniline enables highly efficient electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol in supporting electrolyte-free media and the detection of free-radical signals

S. Mu, Q. Shi, C. Chen, X. Gong and H. Xue, Mater. Chem. Front., 2023, 7, 1385 DOI: 10.1039/D2QM01119K

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