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Regulation of Coordination Number over Single Co Sites: Triggering the Efficient Electroreduction of CO 2
Author(s) -
Wang Xiaoqian,
Chen Zhao,
Zhao Xuyan,
Yao Tao,
Chen Wenxing,
You Rui,
Zhao Changming,
Wu Geng,
Wang Jing,
Huang Weixin,
Yang Jinlong,
Hong Xun,
Wei Shiqiang,
Wu Yuen,
Li Yadong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201712451
Subject(s) - overpotential , catalysis , faraday efficiency , selectivity , coordination number , chemistry , nitrogen , inorganic chemistry , electrochemistry , materials science , electrode , ion , organic chemistry
The design of active, selective, and stable CO 2 reduction electrocatalysts is still challenging. A series of atomically dispersed Co catalysts with different nitrogen coordination numbers were prepared and their CO 2 electroreduction catalytic performance was explored. The best catalyst, atomically dispersed Co with two‐coordinate nitrogen atoms, achieves both high selectivity and superior activity with 94 % CO formation Faradaic efficiency and a current density of 18.1 mA cm −2 at an overpotential of 520 mV. The CO formation turnover frequency reaches a record value of 18 200 h −1 , surpassing most reported metal‐based catalysts under comparable conditions. Our experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that lower a coordination number facilitates activation of CO 2 to the CO 2 .− intermediate and hence enhances CO 2 electroreduction activity.