Cost-effective and durable electrocatalysts for Co-electrolysis of CO2 conversion and glycerol upgrading

Abstract

As the renewable energy gradually penetrates into practical production, electrolytic systhesis technique is considered as a promising avenue for producing some fuels or chemicals. Electrocatalytic conversion CO2 into value-added products is a prominent case that holds impressive potential to promote achievement of carbon-neutral target. However, its practice application is still confronted with rough challenges from lack of high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts and high energy consumption. We herein report a low-cost, durable, and energy-efficient electrolysis system that convert CO2 and glycerol to dual value-added products in anode and cathode, in this manner can the electron be utilized for electrolytic upgrading. To this end, the atomically Ni-N single sites on carbon nanosheets (NiSAs/FN-CNSs) is fabricated as the cathode catalysts for CO2 electrochemical reduction, and interconnected CoSe2 nanostructure is developed as anode catalysts for high-selectivity glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) toward formate production. The assembled electrolytic cell is implemented by the prepared low-cost and scalable nano catalysts electrodes and shows high faradaic efficiencies of CO production (>90%) and formate production (~90%) at a current density more than 100 mA cm−2 over half-month continuous operation. The present work promises to provide a sustainability and economic viable electrolysis route by cost-effectively resourcing CO2 and valorizing glycerol.