Stable core-shell Janus BiAg bimetallic catalyst for CO2 electrolysis into formate

Lou, Yaoyin, Huang, Xiaoyang Jerry, Zhao, Kuang-Min, Douthwaite, Mark J., Fan, Tingting, Lu, Fa, Akdim, Ouardia, Tian, Na, Sun, Shigang and Hutchings, Graham J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8885-1560 2024. Stable core-shell Janus BiAg bimetallic catalyst for CO2 electrolysis into formate. Chinese Chemical Letters , 110300. 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110300 Item availability restricted.

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 27 July 2025 due to copyright restrictions. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (916kB)

Abstract

CO2 electrolysis into formate is a promising technology with the potential to simultaneously alleviate energy shortages and global warming. However, the limited stability of the catalysts during long-term electrolysis hinders their widespread implementation. Herein, we show that a core-shell bimetallic BiAg catalyst with a multifaceted Janus structure at its core can achieve a stability of up to 300 h with a formate faradaic efficiency (FEformate) over 90% at -0.75 V vs. RHE (Reversible Hydrogen Electrode) in an H-type cell. Our investigations reveal the important role of the Janus structure on the transfer of electrons, favoring their delocalization across the catalyst and enhancing their mobility. We propose that the compressive strain inclined to grain boundaries within this structure would lower the energy barrier for electrons transfer and promotes the cooperation between Ag and Bi. Indeed, Ag initiates the activation of CO2 through a series of cascade reactions and is subsequently hydrogenated on Bi. Additionally, our study suggests that Ag plays a crucial role in stabilizing the catalyst structure after long-term electrolysis. This work highlights a new strategy for tandem CO2 electrolysis, providing novel insights for the design of formate formation catalysts.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Chemistry Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI)
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1001-8417
Funders:	Max Planck Centre for Fundamental Heterogeneous Catalysis (FUNCAT)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 September 2024
Date of Acceptance:	26 July 2024
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2024 01:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/172331

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item