Ni Single Atoms Embedded in Graphene Nanoribbon Sieves for High-Performance CO2 Reduction to CO.

Abstract

Ni single-atom catalysts (SACs) are appealing for electrochemical reduction CO2 reduction (CO2 RR). However, regulating the balance between the activity and conductivity remains a challenge to Ni SACs due to the limitation of substrates structure. Herein, the intrinsic performance enhancement of Ni SACs anchored on quasi-one-dimensional graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) synthesized is demonstrated by longitudinal unzipping carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The abundant functional groups on GNRs can absorb Ni atoms to form rich Ni-N4 -C sites during the anchoring process, providing a high intrinsic activity. In addition, the GNRs, which maintain a quasi-one-dimensional structure and possess a high conductivity, interconnect with each other and form a conductive porous framework. The catalyst yields a 44 mA cm-2 CO partial current density and 96% faradaic efficiency of CO (FECO ) at -1.1V vs RHE in an H-cell. By adopting a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) flow cell, a 95% FECO and 2.4V cell voltage are achieved at 200 mAcm-2 current density. This work provides a rational way to synthesize Ni SACs with a high Ni atom loading, porous morphology, and high conductivity with potential industrial applications.