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Gold Nanoparticles on Polymer‐Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes: An Efficient and Selective Catalyst for the Electroreduction of CO 2
Author(s) -
Jhong HueiRu “Molly”,
Tornow Claire E.,
Kim Chaerin,
Verma Sumit,
Oberst Justin L.,
Anderson Paul S.,
Gewirth Andrew A.,
Fujigaya Tsuyohiko,
Nakashima Naotoshi,
Kenis Paul J. A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201700815
Subject(s) - catalysis , carbon nanotube , nanoparticle , selectivity , electrochemistry , materials science , polymer , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , carbon fibers , electrocatalyst , chemistry , electrode , organic chemistry , composite material , composite number , engineering
Multiple approaches will be needed to reduce the atmospheric CO 2 levels, which have been linked to the undesirable effects of global climate change. The electroreduction of CO 2 driven by renewable energy is one approach to reduce CO 2 emissions while producing chemical building blocks, but current electrocatalysts exhibit low activity and selectivity. Here, we report the structural and electrochemical characterization of a promising catalyst for the electroreduction of CO 2 to CO: Au nanoparticles supported on polymer‐wrapped multiwall carbon nanotubes. This catalyst exhibits high selectivity for CO over H 2 : 80–92 % CO, as well as high activity: partial current density for CO as high as 160 mA cm −2 . The observed high activity, originating from a high electrochemically active surface area (23 m 2 g −1 Au), in combination with the low loading (0.17 mg cm −2 ) of the highly dispersed Au nanoparticles underscores the promise of this catalyst for efficient electroreduction of CO 2 .