Efficient Photoelectrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid: A Functionalized Ionic Liquid as an Absorbent and Electrolyte

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a potential method for production of fuels and chemicals from a C1 feedstock accumulated in the atmosphere. However, the low solubility of CO₂ in water, and complicated processes associated with capture and conversion, render CO₂ conversion inefficient. A new concept is proposed in which a PEC system is used to capture and convert CO₂ into formic acid. The process is assisted by an ionic liquid (1‐aminopropyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide) aqueous solution, which functions as an absorbent and electrolyte at ambient temperature and pressure. Within this PEC reduction strategy, the ionic liquid plays a critical role in promoting the conversion of CO₂ to formic acid and suppressing the reduction of H₂O to H₂. At an applied voltage of 1.7 V, the Faradaic efficiency for formic acid production is as high as 94.1 % and the electro‐to‐chemical efficiency is 86.2 %.     

Photoelectrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide with a Copper Graphitic Carbon Nitride Photocathode

Research on the photoreduction of CO₂ often has been dominated by the use of sacrificial reducing agents. A pathway that avoids this problem would be the development of photocathodes for CO₂ reduction that could then be coupled to a photoanodic oxygen evolution reaction. Here, we present the use of copper-substituted graphitic carbon nitride (Cu−CN) on a fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) electrode for the photoelectrochemical two-electron reduction of CO₂ to CO as a major product (>95 %) and formic acid (<5 %). The results show that at a potential of −2.5 V versus Fc\Fc⁺ the CO₂ reduction activity of Cu−CN on FTO electrode improves by 25 % upon illumination by visible light with a faradaic efficiency of nearly 100 %. Independently, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy conclusively shows a pronounced increase in the electrical conductivity of the Cu−CN upon white light illumination under vacuum and a contactless measuring configuration. This photo-assisted charge mobility is shown to play a key role in the increased reactivity and faradaic efficiency for the reduction of CO₂.     

Tuning Gold Nanoparticles with Chelating Ligands for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Capped chelating organic molecules are presented as a design principle for tuning heterogeneous nanoparticles for electrochemical catalysis. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with a chelating tetradentate porphyrin ligand show a 110‐fold enhancement compared to the oleylamine‐coated AuNP in current density for electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to CO in water at an overpotential of 340 mV with Faradaic efficiencies (FEs) of 93 %. These catalysts also show excellent stability without deactivation (<5 % productivity loss) within 72 hours of electrolysis. DFT calculation results further confirm the chelation effect in stabilizing molecule/NP interface and tailoring catalytic activity. This general approach is thus anticipated to be complementary to current NP catalyst design approaches.     

Carbon Vacancies in a Melon Polymeric Matrix Promote Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Conversion

Photosynthetic conversion of CO₂ into fuel and chemicals is a promising but challenging technology. The bottleneck of this reaction lies in the activation of CO₂, owing to the chemical inertness of linear CO₂. Herein, we present a defect‐engineering methodology to construct CO₂ activation sites by implanting carbon vacancies (CVs) in the melon polymer (MP) matrix. Positron annihilation spectroscopy confirmed the location and density of the CVs in the MP skeleton. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and a DFT study revealed that the CVs can function as active sites for CO₂ activation while stabilizing COOH* intermediates, thereby boosting the reaction kinetics. As a result, the modified MP‐TAP‐CVs displayed a 45‐fold improvement in CO₂‐to‐CO activity over the pristine MP. The apparent quantum efficiency of the MP‐TAP‐CVs was 4.8 % at 420 nm. This study sheds new light on the design of high‐efficiency polymer semiconductors for CO₂ conversion.     

Highly Efficient Porous Carbon Electrocatalyst with Controllable N-Species Content for Selective CO2 Reduction

We report a straightforward strategy to design efficient N doped porous carbon (NPC) electrocatalyst that has a high concentration of easily accessible active sites for the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). The NPC with large amounts of active N (pyridinic and graphitic N) and highly porous structure is prepared by using an oxygen-rich metal–organic framework (Zn-MOF-74) precursor. The amount of active N species can be tuned by optimizing the calcination temperature and time. Owing to the large pore sizes, the active sites are well exposed to electrolyte for CO₂RR. The NPC exhibits superior CO₂RR activity with a small onset potential of −0.35 V and a high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 98.4 % towards CO at −0.55 V vs. RHE, one of the highest values among NPC-based CO₂RR electrocatalysts. This work advances an effective and facile way towards highly active and cost-effective alternatives to noble-metal CO₂RR electrocatalysts for practical applications.     

Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction to Carbon Monoxide over Defect‐Rich Plasma‐Activated Silver Catalysts

Efficient, stable catalysts with high selectivity for a single product are essential if electroreduction of CO₂ is to become a viable route to the synthesis of industrial feedstocks and fuels. A plasma oxidation pre‐treatment of silver foil enhances the number of low‐coordinated catalytically active sites, which dramatically lowers the overpotential and increases the activity of CO₂ electroreduction to CO. At −0.6 V versus RHE more than 90 % Faradaic efficiency towards CO was achieved on a pre‐oxidized silver foil. While transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy showed that oxygen species can survive in the bulk of the catalyst during the reaction, quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the surface is metallic under reaction conditions. DFT calculations reveal that the defect‐rich surface of the plasma‐oxidized silver foils in the presence of local electric fields drastically decrease the overpotential of CO₂ electroreduction.     

Preparation of the Borane (Fmes)BH2 and its Utilization in the FLP Reduction of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide

Treatment of 1,3,5‐tris(trifluoromethyl)benzene with n‐BuLi, followed by H₃B?SMe₂ and subsequent hydride removal gave the (Fmes)BH₂ reagent, which was isolated as a SMe₂ stabilized monomer or a ligand free (μ‐H)₂‐bridged dimer. Reaction with Mes₂P(vinyl) gave the respective ethylene‐bridged P/B(Fmes)H FLP. It reduced carbon monoxide to the formyl stage and carbon dioxide to the formaldehyde oxidation state. Most new compounds were characterized by X‐ray diffraction.     

Adjusting the Reduction Potential of Electrons by Quantum Confinement for Selective Photoreduction of CO2 to Methanol

The production of CH₃OH from the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (PCRR) presents a promising route for the clean utilization of renewable resources, but charge recombination, an unsatisfying stability and a poor selectivity limit its practical application. In this paper, we present the design and fabrication of 0D/2D materials with polymeric C₃N₄ nanosheets and CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to enhance the separation and reduce the diffusion length of charge carriers. The rapid outflow of carriers also restrains self‐corrosion and consequently enhances the stability. Furthermore, based on quantum confinement effects of the QDs, the energy of the electrons could be adjusted to a level that inhibits the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, the main competitive reaction to PCRR) and improves the selectivity and activity for CH₃OH production from the PCRR. The band structures of photocatalysts with various CdSe particle sizes were also investigated quantitatively to establish the relationship between the band energy and the photocatalytic performance.     

Cu2O/CuO Electrocatalyst for Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Herein, we report the controlled and direct fabrication of Cu₂O/CuO thin film on the conductive nickel foam using electrodeposition route for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to methanol. The electrocatalytic reduction was performed in CO₂ saturated aqueous solution consisting of KHCO₃, pyridine and HCl at room temperature. CO₂ reduction was carried out at a constant potential of −1.3 V for 120 min to study the electrochemical performance of the prepared electrocatalysts. Cu₂O/CuO shows better electrocatalytic activity with highest current density of 46 mA/cm². The prepared catalyst can be an efficient and selective electrode for the production of methanol.     

Molybdenum–Bismuth Bimetallic Chalcogenide Nanosheets for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Methanol is a very useful platform molecule and liquid fuel. Electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to methanol is a promising route, which currently suffers from low efficiency and poor selectivity. Herein we report the first work to use a Mo‐Bi bimetallic chalcogenide (BMC) as an electrocatalyst for CO₂ reduction. By using the Mo‐Bi BMC on carbon paper as the electrode and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate in MeCN as the electrolyte, the Faradaic efficiency of methanol could reach 71.2 % with a current density of 12.1 mA cm^?2, which is much higher than the best result reported to date. The superior performance of the electrode resulted from the excellent synergistic effect of Mo and Bi for producing methanol. The reaction mechanism was proposed and the reason for the synergistic effect of Mo and Bi was discussed on the basis of some control experiments. This work opens a way to produce methanol efficiently by electrochemical reduction of CO₂.     

Elemental Boron for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Reduction under Light Irradiation

The photoreduction of CO₂ is attractive for the production of renewable fuels and the mitigation of global warming. Herein, we report an efficient method for CO₂ reduction over elemental boron catalysts in the presence of only water and light irradiation through a photothermocatalytic process. Owing to its high solar‐light absorption and effective photothermal conversion, the illuminated boron catalyst experiences remarkable self‐heating. This process favors CO₂ activation and also induces localized boron hydrolysis to in situ produce H₂ as an active proton source and electron donor for CO₂ reduction as well as boron oxides as promoters of CO₂ adsorption. These synergistic effects, in combination with the unique catalytic properties of boron, are proposed to account for the efficiency of the CO₂ reduction. This study highlights the promise of photothermocatalytic strategies for CO₂ conversion and also opens new avenues towards the development of related solar‐energy utilization schemes.     

Rational Design of Polymers for Selective CO2 Reduction Catalysis

A series of copolymers comprising a terpyridine ligand and various functional groups were synthesized toward integrating a Co‐based molecular CO₂ reduction catalyst. Using porous metal oxide electrodes designed to host macromolecules, the Co‐coordinated polymers were readily immobilized via phosphonate anchoring groups. Within the polymeric matrix, the outer coordination sphere of the Co terpyridine catalyst was engineered using hydrophobic functional moieties to improve CO₂ reduction selectivity in the presence of water. Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical CO₂ reduction were demonstrated with the polymer‐immobilized hybrid cathodes, with a CO:H₂ product ratio of up to 6:1 compared to 2:1 for a corresponding “monomeric” Co terpyridine catalyst. This versatile platform of polymer design demonstrates promise in controlling the outer‐sphere environment of synthetic molecular catalysts, analogous to CO₂ reductases.     

A Dinuclear Cobalt Cryptate as a Homogeneous Photocatalyst for Highly Selective and Efficient Visible‐Light Driven CO2 Reduction to CO in CH3CN/H2O Solution

A dinuclear cobalt complex [Co₂(OH)L¹](ClO₄)₃ ( 1 , L¹=N[(CH₂)₂NHCH₂(m ‐C₆H₄)CH₂NH(CH₂)₂]₃N) displays high selectivity and efficiency for the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to CO in CH₃CN/H₂O (v/v=4:1) under a 450 nm LED light irradiation, with a light intensity of 100 mW cm⁻². The selectivity reaches as high as 98 %, and the turnover numbers (TON) and turnover frequencies (TOF) reach as high as 16896 and 0.47 s⁻¹, respectively, with the calculated quantum yield of 0.04 %. Such high activity can be attributed to the synergistic catalysis effect between two Co^II ions within 1 , which is strongly supported by the results of control experiments and DFT calculations.     

Pure and Metal-confining Carbon Nanotubes through Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in Ca-based Molten Salts

To be successfully implemented, an efficient conversion, affordable operation and high values of CO₂-derived products by electrochemical conversion of CO₂ are yet to be addressed. Inspired by the natural CaO-CaCO₃ cycle, we herein introduce CaO into electrolysis of SnO₂ in affordable molten CaCl₂-NaCl to establish an in situ capture and conversion of CO₂. In situ capture of anodic CO₂ from graphite anode by the added CaO generates CaCO₃. The consequent co-electrolysis of SnO₂ and CaCO₃ confines Sn in carbon nanotube (Sn@CNT) in cathode and increases current efficiency of O₂ evolution in graphite anode to 71.9 %. The intermediated CaC₂ is verified as the nuclei to direct a self-template generation of CNT, ensuring a CO₂-CNT current efficiency and energy efficiency of 85.1 % and 44.8 %, respectively. The Sn@CNT integrates confined responses of Sn cores to external electrochemical or thermal stimuli with robust CNT sheaths, resulting in excellent Li storage performance and intriguing application as nanothermometer. The versatility of the molten salt electrolysis of CO₂ in Ca-based molten salts for template-free generation of advanced carbon materials is evidenced by the successful generation of pure CNT, Zn@CNT and Fe@CNT.     

Carbon Dioxide Capture Enhanced by Pre-Adsorption of Water and Methanol in UiO-66

The rapidly rising level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere resulting from human activity is one of the greatest environmental problems facing our civilization today. Most technologies are not yet sufficiently developed to move existing infrastructure to cleaner alternatives. Therefore, techniques for capturing carbon dioxide from emission sources may play a key role at the moment. The structure of the UiO-66 material not only meets the requirement of high stability in contact with water vapor but through the water pre-adsorbed in the pores, the selectivity of carbon dioxide adsorption is increased. We successfully applied the recently developed methodology for water adsorption modelling. It allowed to elucidate the influence of water on CO₂ adsorption and study the mechanism of this effect. We showed that water is adsorbed in octahedral cage and stands for promotor for CO₂ adsorption in less favorable space than tetrahedral cages. Water plays a role of a mediator of adsorption, what is a general idea of improving affinity of adsorbate. On the basis of pre-adsorption of methanol as another polar solvent, we have shown that the adsorption sites play a key role here, and not, as previously thought, only the interaction between the solvent and quadrupole carbon dioxide. Overall, we explained the mechanism of increased CO₂ adsorption in the presence of water and methanol, as polar solvents, in the UiO-66 pores for a potential post-combustion carbon dioxide capture application.     

Visible-Light Photochemical Reduction of CO2 to CO Coupled to Hydrocarbon Dehydrogenation

Research on the photochemical reduction of CO₂, initiated already 40 years ago, has with few exceptions been performed by using amines as sacrificial reductants. Hydrocarbons are high-volume chemicals whose dehydrogenation is of interest, so the coupling of a CO₂ photoreduction to a hydrocarbon-photodehydrogenation reaction seems a worthwhile concept to explore. A three-component construct was prepared including graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) as a visible-light photoactive semiconductor, a polyoxometalate (POM) that functions as an electron acceptor to improve hole–electron charge separation, and an electron donor to a rhenium-based CO₂ reduction catalyst. Upon photoactivation of g-CN, a cascade is initiated by dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons coupled to the reduction of the polyoxometalate. Visible-light photoexcitation of the reduced polyoxometalate enables electron transfer to the rhenium-based catalyst active for the selective reduction of CO₂ to CO. The construct was characterized by zeta potential, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). An experimental Z-scheme diagram is presented based on electrochemical measurements and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The conceptual advance should promote study into more active systems.     

基于流动池的电化学二氧化碳还原研究进展

采用电化学方法将二氧化碳（CO₂）还原转化为基础化学品或碳基燃料是目前极具前景的碳资源利用新方式. 考虑到该技术未来的发展方向和大规模应用需求,人们亟需开发具有高转化效率和高稳定性的电解设备. 在本文中,作者详细介绍了现阶段发展的两种流动池的结构特点及性能优势,阐述了每种反应体系的内在局限性, 深入分析了整个反应体系所用组件（电解池、气体扩散电极、离子交换膜）对于性能的影响. 最后,针对目前该领域存在的挑战及未来发展趋势进行了总结与展望.     

Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by Nitrogen‐Doped Nanoporous Carbon/Carbon Nanotube Membranes: A Step Towards the Electrochemical CO2 Refinery

Herein we introduce a straightforward, low cost, scalable, and technologically relevant method to manufacture an all‐carbon, electroactive, nitrogen‐doped nanoporous‐carbon/carbon‐nanotube composite membrane, dubbed “HNCM/CNT”. The membrane is demonstrated to function as a binder‐free, high‐performance gas diffusion electrode for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to formate. The Faradaic efficiency (FE) for the production of formate is 81 %. Furthermore, the robust structural and electrochemical properties of the membrane endow it with excellent long‐term stability.