Crystalline/Amorphous\nNi₂P/Ho₂O₃ Core/Shell Nanoparticles\nfor Electrochemical Reduction\nof CO₂ to Acetone

Abstract

Electrocatalysts\nfor C₃ chemicals, such as acetone in\nCO₂ reduction reaction, are predominantly limited to Cu-based\nmaterials. Therefore, it is highly desirable to devise design strategies\nand synthetic routes for novel electrocatalysts. This study demonstrates\nan original synthetic route toward uniform crystalline/amorphous Ni₂P/Ho₂O₃ core/shell nanoparticles (CSNPs),\nwhich produce acetone with a Faradaic efficiency of 25.4%. To date,\nthis is by far the best performance demonstrated with non-Cu-based\nelectrocatalysts. These excellent CSNP properties can be attributed\nto their unique heterostructures because Ni₂P or Ho₂O₃ electrocatalysts alone cannot produce acetone.\nOur demonstration greatly contributes to the development of innovative\nelectrocatalysts, especially for valuable multicarbon (C₃₊) chemicals.