Structure-dependent CO < sub > 2 < /sub > reduction on molybdenite (MoS < sub > 2 < /sub > ) electrocatalysts

Chem Commun (Camb). 2024 Apr 11. doi: 10.1039/d4cc00496e. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTScanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) is employed to directly identify the structure-dependent electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) activity of molybdenite (MoS2) electrocatalysts in an aqueous imidazolium-based aprotic ionic liquid electrolyte. Nanoscale defects, where the edge plane (EP) is exposed, are directly targeted, revealing heightened overall activity (eCO2RR + the competing hydrogen evolution reaction, HER) over the relatively inactive basal plane (BP). In addition, certain types of defects (e.g., step edges) only exhibit heightened activity under a CO2 atmosphere (i.e., compared to N2), indirectly confirming higher selectivity at these surface sites. Overall, this work will guide the bottom-up design of earth-abundant electrocatalysts for use in large-scale CO2 electrolysis.PMID:38600827 | DOI:10.1039/d4cc00496e
Source: Chemical Communications - Category: Chemistry Authors: Source Type: research