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Tuning the Composition of Electrodeposited Bimetallic Tin–Lead Catalysts for Enhanced Activity and Durability in Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction to Formate
Author(s) -
Moore Colin E.,
Gyenge Előd L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201700761
Subject(s) - faraday efficiency , catalysis , bimetallic strip , electrolysis , formate , inorganic chemistry , materials science , tin , electrochemistry , cyclic voltammetry , carbon fibers , chemistry , chemical engineering , metallurgy , electrode , organic chemistry , electrolyte , composite material , composite number , engineering
Bimetallic Sn–Pb catalysts with five different Sn/Pb atomic ratios were electrodeposited on Teflonated carbon paper and non‐Teflonated carbon cloth using both fluoroborate‐ and oxide‐containing deposition media to produce catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 (ERC) to formate (HCOO − ). The interaction between catalyst composition, morphology, substrate, and deposition media was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and constant potential electrolysis at −2.0 V versus Ag/AgCl for 2 h in 0.5 m KHCO 3 . The catalysts were analyzed before and after electrolysis by using SEM and XRD to determine the mechanisms of Faradaic efficiency loss and degradation. Catalysts that are mainly Sn with 15–35 at % Pb generated Faradaic efficiencies up to 95 % with a stable performance. However, pure Sn catalysts showed high initial stage formate production rates but experienced an extensive (up to 30 %) decrease of the Faradaic efficiency. The XRD results demonstrated the presence of polycrystalline SnO 2 after electrolysis using Sn–Pb catalysts with 35 at % Pb and its absence in the case of pure Sn. It is proposed that the presence of Pb (15–35 at %) in mainly Sn catalysts stabilized SnO 2 , which is responsible for the enhanced Faradaic efficiency and catalytic durability in the ERC.