The latest breakthrough in carbon dioxide reduction research involves a newly developed tin-based catalyst that produces ethanol efficiently and represents a major step forward in renewable energy technology. The conversion of electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) into carbon-based fuels offers a promising strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and promote the utilization of renewable energy.
CO2 reduction challenges
Cn (n≥2) liquid products are popular due to their high energy density and easy storage. However, the manipulation of C-C coupling pathways remains a challenge due to limited mechanistic understanding.
Recently, a research team led by Professors Zhang Tao and Huang Yanqiang conducted a breakthrough study at the University of California, Los Angeles. A research team led by Professors Zhang Tao and Huang Yanqiang from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a tin-based tandem electrocatalyst (SnS2@Sn1-O3G). Under the conditions of -0.9 VRHE and 17.8 mA/cm2 geometric current density, the catalyst can reproducibly generate ethanol with a Faradaic efficiency as high as 82.5%.
The research was recently published in the scientific journal Nature Energy.
The researchers created SnS2@Sn1-O3G by performing a solvothermal reaction of SnBr2 and thiourea on three-dimensional carbon foam. This electrocatalyst consists of SnS2 nanosheets and atomically dispersed Sn atoms (Sn1-O3G).
Mechanistic studies show that this Sn1-O3G can adsorb *CHO and *CO(OH) intermediates respectively, thereby promoting the formation of C-C bonds through an unprecedented formyl-bicarbonate coupling pathway.
Furthermore, by using isotopically labeled reactants, the researchers traced the formation path of C atoms in the final C2 product formed on the Sn1-O3G catalyst. Analysis showed that the methyl C in the product came from formic acid, while the methylene C came from carbon dioxide.
Professor Huang said, "Our study provides an alternative platform for C-C bond formation in ethanol synthesis and a strategy for manipulating the carbon dioxide reduction pathway to obtain the desired product."