Operando Evolution of the Structure and Oxidation State of Size-Controlled Zn Nanoparticles during CO2 Electroreduction

J Am Chem Soc. 2018 Aug 1;140(30):9383-9386. doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b05258. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Abstract

We explored the size-dependent activity and selectivity of Zn nanoparticles (NPs) for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Zn NPs ranging from 3 to 5 nm showed high activity and selectivity (∼70%) for CO production, whereas those above 5 nm exhibited bulk-like catalytic properties. In addition, a drastic increase in hydrogen production was observed for the Zn NPs below 3 nm, which is associated with the enhanced content of low-coordinated sites on small NPs. The presence of residual cationic Zn species in the catalysts was also revealed during CO2RR via operando X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy measurements. Such species are expected to play a role in the selectivity trends obtained. Our findings can serve as guidance for the development of highly active and CO-selective Zn-based catalysts for CO2RR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't