Sb-doped SnS2 nanosheets enhance electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) is a forward-looking strategy to convert renewable energy into fuel. Herein, we show that the novel Sb-doped SnS2 nanosheets were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method for efficient electroreduction of CO2, and the atomic ratio of Sb/Sn was controllable. The introduction of Sb significantly enhanced the current density and Faradaic efficiency for formate products compared to pristine SnS2 nanosheets. When the Sb content was 1%, the Sb-SnS2 nanosheets achieved a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 90.86% for formate products at -1.1 V vs. RHE. The experimental results showed that 1% Sb-doped SnS2 nanosheets changed the electronic structure of the Sn element, allowing the catalyst to reconfigure to generate Sn0 during the electrochemical reaction, while the singlet tin had a synergistic effect with Sn4+, making it easier to transport electrons on the surface and promoting the activation process of CO2, which is a key factor to improve the electroreduction performance of CO2. (c) 2023 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, novel Sb-doped SnS2 nanosheets were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method for efficient electroreduction of CO2. Introduction of Sb significantly enhanced the current density and Faradaic efficiency for formate products compared to pristine SnS2 nanosheets. Experimental results showed that 1% Sb-doped SnS2 nanosheets changed the electronic structure of the Sn element, allowing the catalyst to reconfigure and promote the activation process of CO2, improving the electroreduction performance.