Authors: Xiaoqian Wei, Zijian Li, Haeseong Jang, Zhe Wang, Xuhao Zhao, Yunfei Chen, Xuefeng Wang, Min Gyu Kim, Xien Liu, Qing Qin
Published: 2023-12-27
Source: Full article
AbstractDual‐engineering involved of grain boundaries (GBs) and oxygen vacancies (VO) efficiently engineers the material's catalytic performance by simultaneously introducing favorable electronic and chemical properties. Herein, a novel SnO2 nanoplate is reported with simultaneous oxygen vacancies and abundant grain boundaries (V,G‐SnOx/C) for promoting the highly selective conversion of CO2 to value‐added formic acid. Attributing to the synergistic effect of employed dual‐engineering, the V,G‐SnOx/C displays highly catalytic selectivity with a maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 87% for HCOOH production at −1.2 V versus RHE and FEs > 95% for all C1 products (CO and HCOOH) within all applied potential range, outperforming current state‐of‐the‐art electrodes and the amorphous SnOx/C. Theoretical calculations combined with advanced characterizations revealed that GB induces the formation of electron‐enriched Sn site, which strengthens the adsorption of *HCOO intermediate. While GBs and VO synergistically lower the reaction energy barrier, thus dramatically enhancing the intrinsic activity and selectivity toward HCOOH.