Electron Penetration Effect of Ni Single Atom Boosting CO2 to CO in PH‐Universal Electrolytes

Abstract

AbstractElectrocatalytic CO2 reduction (ECR) powered by renewable electricity has attracted of wide attention because of its advantages to produce high‐value‐added chemicals and fuels. Additionally, ECR played a crucial role in addressing the challenge of excessive fossil fuel consumption caused by global warming. Herein, a unique armor structure with Ni nanoparticles coated by a carbon shell containing Ni─N─C (Ni─NP@Ni─SA) for industrial ECR to CO in pH‐universal electrolytes is designed. Ni─NP@Ni─SA catalyst exhibits ≈100% CO Faradaic efficiency, and CO partial current density can reach 500, 361, and 615 mA cm−2 in strong alkaline (pH 14), neutral (pH 7.2) and strong acidic (pH 1) electrolytes, respectively. Moreover, Ni─NP@Ni─SA can drive the rechargeable Zn‐CO2 battery with a high power density of 3.45 mW cm−2, and outstanding stability over 36 h. The structural characterizations and theoretical calculation together present that the electron penetration effect of Ni─NP@Ni─SA can strengthen the electronic enrichment state of Ni single atom, which facilitates the reaction kinetics of ECR by decreasing the formation energy barrier of key intermediate *COOH. This work pioneers a new design strategy to enhance the activity of single‐atom catalysts and seek high‐efficiency electrocatalysts for ECR in pH‐universal electrolytes.