CNT modified by mesoporous carbon anchored by Ni nanoparticles for CO2 electrochemical reduction

The design of novel catalysts for efficient electroreduction of CO2 into value-added chemicals is a promising approach to alleviate the energy crisis. Herein, we successfully modify the carbon nanotube by a layer of mesoporous carbon shell anchored by nickel (Ni) nanoparticles. Ni species effectively enable carbon deposition derived from pyrolysis of surfactant 1-hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide to form a mesoporous carbon shell. At the same time, Ni nanoparticles can be embedded in the mesoporous carbon shell due to the confinement effect. Owing to the dispersive Ni nanoparticles and N-doping active sites of mesoporous carbon, the as-prepared electrocatalyst exhibits exciting catalytic performance for the selective reduction of CO2 to carbon monoxide (CO) with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 98% at a moderate overpotential of -0.81 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and a high partial current density of 60 mA cm(-2) in H-cell with an aqueous electrolyte.

Automated summary

In this study, carbon nanotubes were successfully modified by a layer of mesoporous carbon shell supported by nickel nanoparticles, resulting in an electrocatalyst with excellent catalytic performance. The as-prepared electrocatalyst exhibited high efficiency and selectivity for the reduction of CO2 to CO in an aqueous electrolyte.