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Molten‐Salt‐Assisted Synthesis of Bismuth Nanosheets for Long‐term Continuous Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO 2 to Formate
Author(s) -
Yi Luocai,
Chen Junxiang,
Shao Ping,
Huang Junheng,
Peng Xinxin,
Li Junwei,
Wang Genxiang,
Zhang Chi,
Wen Zhenhai
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202008316
Subject(s) - overpotential , bismuth , formate , antimony , catalysis , materials science , pnictogen , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , yield (engineering) , chemical engineering , electrochemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , superconductivity , physics , electrode , quantum mechanics , engineering
Two‐dimensional (2D) monometallic pnictogens (antimony or Sb, and bismuth or Bi) nanosheets demonstrate potential in a variety of fields, including quantum devices, catalysis, biomedicine and energy, because of their unique physical, chemical, electronic and optical properties. However, the development of general and high‐efficiency preparative routes toward high‐quality pnictogen nanosheets is challenging. A general method involving a molten‐salt‐assisted aluminothermic reduction process is reported for the synthesis of Sb and Bi nanosheets in high yields (>90 %). Electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction was investigated on the Bi nanosheets, and high catalytic selectively to formate was demonstrated with a considerable current density at a low overpotential and an impressive stability. Bi nanosheets continuously convert CO 2 into formate in a flow cell operating for one month, with a yield rate of 787.5 mmol cm −2 h −1 . Theoretical results suggest that the edge sites of Bi are far more active than the terrace sites.