Rational design and synergistic effect of ultrafine Ag nanodots decorated fish-scale-like Zn nanoleaves for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is regarded as a promising route for renewable energy conversion and storage, but its development is limited by the high overpotential and low stability and selectivity of electrocatalysts. Moreover, it is complicated to accurately adjust the nanostructure of electrocatalysts, which impacts repeatability. Herein, we propose the rational design and controlled preparation of ultrafine Ag nanodots decorated fish-scale-like Zn nanoleaves (Ag-NDs/Zn-NLs) for highly selective electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. The Ag-NDs/Zn-NLs can be in-situ grown on copper foil with simple electrodeposition and replacement reactions. Benefiting from the coordination and synergistic effect of Zn and Ag species, the reconstruction of Zn surface and the agglomeration of Ag-NDs are efficiently prevented, bringing high activity and durable electrocatalytic stability for CO2-to-CO conversion. The Faradaic efficiency for CO production reaches 85.2% at a moderate applied potential of -1.0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). This study provides a promising approach for controlling the catalytic activity and selectivity of CO2RR through the structural adjustment and decoration of transition metal based nanocatalysts.

Automated summary

Researchers propose a method for the rational design and controlled preparation of ultrafine Ag nanodots decorated fish-scale-like Zn nanoleaves for highly selective electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. The coordination and synergistic effect of Zn and Ag species prevent the reconstruction of Zn surface and the agglomeration of Ag-NDs, resulting in high activity and durable electrocatalytic stability for CO2-to-CO conversion.