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Hierarchical Mesoporous SnO 2 Nanosheets on Carbon Cloth: A Robust and Flexible Electrocatalyst for CO 2 Reduction with High Efficiency and Selectivity
Author(s) -
Li Fengwang,
Chen Lu,
Knowles Gregory P.,
MacFarlane Douglas R.,
Zhang Jie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201608279
Subject(s) - overpotential , electrocatalyst , mesoporous material , materials science , faraday efficiency , calcination , selectivity , chemical engineering , electrode , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , carbon fibers , chemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , composite material , composite number , engineering
Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 into liquid fuels is a promising approach to achieve a carbon‐neutral energy cycle. However, conventional electrocatalysts usually suffer from low energy efficiency and poor selectivity and stability. A 3D hierarchical structure composed of mesoporous SnO 2 nanosheets on carbon cloth is proposed to efficiently and selectively electroreduce CO 2 to formate in aqueous media. The electrode is fabricated by a facile combination of hydrothermal reaction and calcination. It exhibits an unprecedented partial current density of about 45 mA cm −2 at a moderate overpotential (0.88 V) with high faradaic efficiency (87±2 %), which is even larger than most gas diffusion electrodes. Additionally, the electrode also demonstrates flexibility and long‐term stability. The superior performance is attributed to the robust and highly porous hierarchical structure, which provides a large surface area and facilitates charge and mass transfer.