In-situ spectroscopic probe of the intrinsic structure feature of single-atom center in electrochemical CO/CO2 reduction to methanol

Abstract While exploring the process of CO/CO 2 electroreduction (CO x RR) is of great significance to achieve carbon recycling, deciphering reaction mechanisms so as to further design catalytic systems able to overcome sluggish kinetics remains challenging. In this work, a model single-Co-atom catalyst with well-defined coordination structure is developed and employed as a platform to unravel the underlying reaction mechanism of CO x RR. The as-prepared single-Co-atom catalyst exhibits a maximum methanol Faradaic efficiency as high as 65% at 30 mA/cm 2 in a membrane electrode assembly electrolyzer, while on the contrary, the reduction pathway of CO 2 to methanol is strongly decreased in CO 2 RR. In-situ X-ray…

• CU
  City University of Hong Kong
• SS
  Salt Science Research Foundation

  Award: BL11B
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22102176, BL11B, 21925803
• CA
  Chinese Academy of Sciences

  Awards: XDB36030200, YSBR-051
• IU
  Institut Universitaire de France
• NS
  National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2021YFA1500502