Cost-effective and durable electrocatalysts for Co-electrolysis of CO2 conversion and glycerol upgrading

As the renewable energy gradually penetrates into practical production, electrolytic systhesis technique is considered as a promising avenue for producing some fuels or chemicals. Electrocatalytic conversion CO2 into value-added products is a prominent case that holds impressive potential to promote achievement of carbonneutral target. However, its practice application is still confronted with rough challenges from lack of highperformance and cost-effective electrocatalysts and high energy consumption. We herein report a low-cost, durable, and energy-efficient electrolysis system that convert CO2 and glycerol to dual value-added products in anode and cathode, in this manner can the electron be utilized for electrolytic upgrading. To this end, the atomically Ni-N single sites on carbon nanosheets (NiSAs/FN-CNSs) is fabricated as the cathode catalysts for CO2 electrochemical reduction, and interconnected CoSe2 nanostructure is developed as anode catalysts for highselectivity glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) toward formate production. The assembled electrolytic cell is implemented by the prepared low-cost and scalable nano catalysts electrodes and shows high faradaic efficiencies of CO production (>90%) and formate production (-90%) at a current density more than 100 mA cm-2 over half-month continuous operation. The present work promises to provide a sustainability and economic viable electrolysis route by cost-effectively resourcing CO2 and valorizing glycerol.

Automated summary

Electrolytic systhesis technique is considered a promising avenue for producing fuels or chemicals, with the potential to convert CO2 into value-added products for carbonneutral goals. Challenges remain in practice due to the lack of high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts, as well as high energy consumption.