Electrocatalytic Stability of Tin Cathode for Electroreduction of CO2 to Formate in Aqueous Solution

The electrocatalytic stability of tin (Sn) nanoparticle for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate was measured using an H-type cell during electrolysis for 40 h. The Faradaic efficiency (FE) and partial current density (PCD) of formate formation reduced as much as 10% and 13% of the maximum values, respectively. To elucidate the decrease in FE and PCD, the changes in the morphology, chemical composition, the crystalline structure were investigated. The spherical Sn nanoparticles were pulverized after electrolysis. Furthermore, the crystal structure of the fresh Sn electrocatalyst was collapsed and changed into amorphous phase after 40 h electrolysis. The decrease in FE and PCD of formate production on the Sn/CFP electrode could be mainly originated from the reduction of the SnOx to Sn on the cathode surface during electrolysis.