Insight into the Active Site in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction of Self-Supported Cobalt Phthalocyanine Anchored on ZnIn2S4 Nanoarrays

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction into value-added fuels is a promising and economical strategy to mitigate CO2 emissions. Herein, a self-supported cobalt phthalocyanine anchored on chrysanthemum-like ZnIn2S4 nanoarray electrode was prepared. By integration of experimental analysis and density functional theory calculation, the CoPc molecule was anchored with hexagonal ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) via S-C and Co-S interaction. The active site for CO2RR in ZIS-CoPc was attributed to Co sites. For hydrogen evolution reaction, the active site was mainly ascribed to the S site on the surface of ZIS.

Automated summary

The study successfully demonstrated the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 into value-added fuels by anchoring self-supported cobalt phthalocyanine on chrysanthemum-like ZnIn2S4 nanoarray electrode. Experimental and computational analyses revealed that the active site for CO2 reduction was attributed to Co sites, while for hydrogen evolution reaction, it was mainly ascribed to the S site on the surface of ZIS.