Surface regulated Ni nanoparticles on N-doped mesoporous carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction

Abstract

Low cost, highly selective and efficient electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is crucial for lowering the global carbon footprint and mitigating energy shortages. Here, we first report a highly selective and efficient electrocatalyst for CO2RR to CO using a surface-regulated Ni nanoparticles supported on N-doped CMK-3 (N,O-Ni/CMK3). Compared with most Ni metal catalysts previously reported with severe competitive hydrogen evolution during the CO2RR, the N,O-Ni/CMK3 catalyst presents a superior CO faradaic efficiency of about 97%, a high CO partial current density (13.01 mA cm−1) and turnover frequency (4.25 s−1). The comprehensive characterization provides evidence that the N,O co-regulated Ni acts as the active center. Taking advantage of the N, O co-regulated chemical environment, N,O-Ni/CMK3 also displays a decent stability at negative potentials. Our work paves a novel approach for developing transition metal catalysts for CO2RR with enhanced activity and selectivity via regulating surface chemical environment.