Promoting electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to formate via sulfur-boosting water activation on indium surfaces

Wenchao Ma, Shunji Xie, Xia-Guang Zhang, Fanfei Sun, Jincan Kang, Zheng Jiang, Qinghong Zhang (), Wu De-Yin () and Ye Wang ()
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Wenchao Ma: Xiamen University
Shunji Xie: Xiamen University
Xia-Guang Zhang: Xiamen University
Fanfei Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jincan Kang: Xiamen University
Zheng Jiang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qinghong Zhang: Xiamen University
Wu De-Yin: Xiamen University
Ye Wang: Xiamen University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to fuels and chemicals is one of the most attractive routes for CO2 utilization. Current catalysts suffer from low faradaic efficiency of a CO2-reduction product at high current density (or reaction rate). Here, we report that a sulfur-doped indium catalyst exhibits high faradaic efficiency of formate (>85%) in a broad range of current density (25–100 mA cm−2) for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction in aqueous media. The formation rate of formate reaches 1449 μmol h−1 cm−2 with 93% faradaic efficiency, the highest value reported to date. Our studies suggest that sulfur accelerates CO2 reduction by a unique mechanism. Sulfur enhances the activation of water, forming hydrogen species that can readily react with CO2 to produce formate. The promoting effect of chalcogen modifiers can be extended to other metal catalysts. This work offers a simple and useful strategy for designing both active and selective electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08805-x

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