Tuning B–N pairs in porous carbon nanorods for electrochemical conversion of CO2 to syngas with controllable CO/H2 ratios

Abstract

The direct electroreduction of CO₂ into syngas with controllable CO/H₂ ratios is a promising approach to rebalance the CO₂ cycle and store intermittent renewable energy. However, it is still challenging to achieve stable CO/H₂ ratios using low cost but efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we reported a class of N/B-codoped porous carbon nanorods (NBCs) with tunable B–N pairs as metal-free electrocatalysts for syngas production. Through modulating the contents of N/B dopants and corresponding B–N pairs for the NBCs, the syngas generation with tunable CO/H₂ ratios from 1 to 12.3 under different potentials (−0.7, −0.75, and −0.8 V vs. RHE) can be realized from the carbon dioxide reduction reaction. This study opens up a new avenue for carbon-based metal-free catalysts to syngas production with controllable CO/H₂ ratios.