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Achieving Near‐Unity CO Selectivity for CO 2 Electroreduction on an Iron‐Decorated Carbon Material
Author(s) -
Hu XinMing,
Mendoza Daniela,
Madsen Monica Rohde,
Joulié Dorian,
LassalleKaiser Benedikt,
Robert Marc,
Pedersen Steen U.,
Skrydstrup Troels,
Daasbjerg Kim
Publication year - 2020
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.202001311
Subject(s) - overpotential , selectivity , pyrolysis , carbon fibers , materials science , chemical engineering , nanoparticle , inorganic chemistry , catalysis , carbide , chemistry , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , electrode , organic chemistry , composite material , composite number , engineering
Abstract A straightforward procedure has been developed to prepare a porous carbon material decorated with iron by direct pyrolysis of a mixture of a porous polymer and iron chloride. Characterization of the material with X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and electron microscopy indicates the presence of iron carbide nanoparticles encapsulated inside the carbon matrix, and elemental mapping and cyanide poisoning experiments demonstrate the presence of atomic Fe centers, albeit in trace amounts, which are active sites for electrochemical CO 2 reduction. The encapsulated iron carbide nanoparticles are found to boost the catalytic activity of atomic Fe sites in the outer carbon layers, rendering the material highly active and selective for CO 2 reduction, although these atomic Fe sites are only present in trace amounts. The target material exhibits near‐unity selectivity (98 %) for CO 2 ‐to‐CO conversion at a small overpotential (410 mV) in water. Furthermore, the material holds potential for practical application, as a current density over 30 mA cm −2 and a selectivity of 93 % can be achieved in a flow cell.