Nanostructured\nTin Catalysts for Selective Electrochemical\nReduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formate

Abstract

High surface area tin oxide nanocrystals\nprepared by a facile hydrothermal\nmethod are evaluated as electrocatalysts toward CO₂ reduction\nto formate. At these novel nanostructured tin catalysts, CO₂ reduction occurs selectively to formate at overpotentials as low\nas ∼340 mV. In aqueous NaHCO₃ solutions, maximum\nFaradaic efficiencies for formate production of >93% have been\nreached\nwith high stability and current densities of >10 mA/cm² on graphene supports. The notable reactivity toward CO₂ reduction achieved here may arise from a compromise between the\nstrength of the interaction between CO₂^•– and the nanoscale tin surface and subsequent kinetic activation\ntoward protonation and further reduction.