In Situ Formed "Sn1–XInX@In1–YSnYOZ" Core@Shell Nanoparticles as Electrocatalysts for CO2 Reduction to Formate. (16th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pardo Pérez, Laura C.; Teschner, Detre; Willinger, Elena; Guiet, Amandine; Driess, Matthias; Strasser, Peter; Fischer, Anna
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 31:Number 41(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-07-16
• Subjects: electrochemical CO 2 reduction -- formate -- indium‐based electrocatalysts -- metal@metal oxide core@shell electrocatalysts -- oxide derived electrocatalysts -- tin‐based electrocatalysts; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202103601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2 RR) driven by renewable energy has gained increasing attention for sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. Catalyst design to overcome large overpotentials and poor product selectivity remains however challenging. Sn/SnOx and In/InOx composites have been reported active for CO2 RR with high selectivity toward formate formation. In this work, the CO2 RR activity and selectivity of metal/metal oxide composite nanoparticles formed by in situ reduction of bimetallic amorphous SnInOx thin films are investigated. It is shown that during CO2 RR the amorphous SnInOx pre‐catalyst thin films are reduced in situ into Sn1– X In X @In1– Y Sn Y O z core@shell nanoparticles composed of Sn‐rich SnIn alloy nanocores (with x < 0.2) surrounded by InOx‐rich bimetallic InSnOx shells (with 0.3 < y < 0.4 and z ≈ 1). The in situ formed particles catalyze the CO2 RR to formate with high faradaic efficiency (80%) and outstanding formate mass activity (437 A gIn+Sn −1 @ −1.0 V vs RHE in 0.1 m KHCO3 ). While extensive structural investigation during CO2 RR reveals pronounced dynamics in terms of particle size, the core@shell structure is observed for the different electrolysis conditions essayed, with high surface oxide contents favoring formate over hydrogen selectivity. Abstract : In situ reduction of amorphous bimetallic SnInOx oxide films during CO2 RR yields core@shell nanoparticles composed of Sn‐rich SnIn alloy nanocores surrounded by InOx‐rich bimetallic InSnOx shells. The in situ formed nanoparticles catalyze formate production with high selectivity (80%) and mass activity (437 A gIn+Sn −1 at −1.0 V vs RHE in 0.1 m KHCO3 ).