Highly selective and efficient porous Cu-Sn bimetallic electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction to formate

Abstract

In the current study, a simple chemical reduction method to synthesize bimetallic nanocatalyst of CuSn(OH)6 has been reported. The morphology, composition, size and electrochemical activity of the nanocatalyst have been investigated. The nanocatalyst exhibits porous/sponge-like morphology. The linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry were employed to measure the current density/ current response. The synthesized catalyst was used for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate. The electrocatalytic results confirmed higher faradaic efficiency (FE), high and long term stable current density and lower Tafel slope for the synthesized nanocatalyst. The maximum obtained FE on bimetallic electrocatalyst for the only liquid product (formate) was nearly 83%. The improved electrocatalytic activity confirms synergistic effect between Cu and Sn as nanocatalyst that efficiently contributed towards the conversion of CO2 to formate. Therefore, CuSn(OH)6 nanocatalyst can be prepared by a simple and cost-effective method that can be further used for efficient and selective reduction of CO2.