New cobalt-based electrocatalysts for efficient conversion of carbon dioxide into liquid fuels

New cobalt-based electrocatalysts for efficient conversion of carbon dioxide into liquid fuels

Carbon dioxide is electrically reduced to hydrocarbon fuel at normal temperature and pressure. It is a potential clean energy strategy to replace fossil raw materials and helps reduce the adverse impact of carbon dioxide emissions on the climate. The key bottleneck problem for realizing the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide is to activate carbon dioxide as a CO2·- radical anion or other intermediate, which requires an abnormally high overpotential.

Recent reports show that metals based on metal oxide reduction have higher catalytic activity than metals prepared by other methods, but it is unclear how metal oxides change the electrocatalytic activity of metals, mainly due to the presence of microstructures such as interfaces and defects. Affects the activity of carbon dioxide reduction. In order to evaluate the role of two different catalytic sites for metal and metal oxides, Xie Yi and Sun Yongfu of the University of Science and Technology of China have prepared a four-atom thick cobalt metal layer and a cobalt metal/cobalt oxide hybrid layer.

They found that at low overpotentials, cobalt atoms on the atomic-thin layer surface have higher intrinsic activity and selectivity for formation of formate than cobalt atoms on the bulk surface. The partially oxidized atomic layers further enhance their intrinsic catalytic activity, achieving a current output of 10 mA per square centimeter over 40 hours at an overpotential of just 0.24 volts, and a formate selectivity close to 90%. This exceeds the results reported previously for metal or metal oxide electrodes under the same conditions. The research work helps researchers rethink how to obtain an efficient and stable CO2 electroreduction catalyst.

Research papers were published on January 7, 2016 Nature (529(7584):68-71). Professor Karthish Manthiram of California Institute of Technology commented: “This is a major scientific breakthrough. Although it takes a very long time before it can be used commercially, the current stage of development is positive and optimistic from any angle. ”

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