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2D Assembly of Confined Space toward Enhanced CO 2 Electroreduction
Author(s) -
Han Peng,
Wang Zhijie,
Kuang Min,
Wang Yifei,
Liu Jianing,
Hu Linfeng,
Qian Linping,
Zheng Gengfeng
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201801230
Subject(s) - materials science , nanosheet , selectivity , electrochemistry , chemical engineering , faraday efficiency , molecule , formate , nanotechnology , electrocatalyst , catalysis , pulmonary surfactant , cationic polymerization , electrode , organic chemistry , chemistry , polymer chemistry , engineering
Rational design of electrocatalysts toward efficient CO 2 electroreduction has the potential to reduce carbon emission and produce value‐added chemicals. In this work, a strategy of constructing 2D confined‐space as molecular reactors for enhanced electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction selectivity is demonstrated. Highly ordered 2D nanosheet lamella assemblies are achieved via weak molecular interaction of atomically thin titania nanosheets, a variety of cationic surfactants, and SnO 2 nanoparticles. The interlayer spacings can be tuned from 0.9 to 3.0 nm by using different surfactant molecules. These 2D assemblies of confined‐space catalysts exhibit a strong size dependence of CO 2 electroreduction selectivity, with a peak Faradaic efficiency of 73% for formate production and excellent electrochemical stability at an optimal interspacing of ≈2.0 nm. This work suggests great potential for constructing new molecular‐size reactors, for highly selective electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction.