Gold Nanoparticles on Polymer-Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes: An Efficient and Selective Catalyst for the Electroreduction of CO2

Abstract

Multiple approaches will be needed to reduce the atmospheric CO2 levels, which have been linked to the undesirable effects of global climate change. The electroreduction of CO2 driven by renewable energy is one approach to reduce CO2 emissions while producing chemical building blocks, but current electrocatalysts exhibit low activity and selectivity. Here, we report the structural and electrochemical characterization of a promising catalyst for the electroreduction of CO2 to CO: Au nanoparticles supported on polymer-wrapped multiwall carbon nanotubes. This catalyst exhibits high selectivity for CO over H2: 80–92 % CO, as well as high activity: partial current density for CO as high as 160 mA cm−2. The observed high activity, originating from a high electrochemically active surface area (23 m2 g−1 Au), in combination with the low loading (0.17 mg cm−2) of the highly dispersed Au nanoparticles underscores the promise of this catalyst for efficient electroreduction of CO2.