Operando Evolution of the Structure and Oxidation State of Size- Controlled Zn Nanoparticles during CO_2 Electroreduction

摘要

We explored the size-dependent activity and selectivity of Zn nanoparticles (NPs) for the electrochemical CO_(2) reduction reaction (CO_(2)RR). Zn NPs ranging from 3 to 5 nm showed high activity and selectivity (∼70%) for CO production, whereas those above 5 nm exhibited bulk-like catalytic properties. In addition, a drastic increase in hydrogen production was observed for the Zn NPs below 3 nm, which is associated with the enhanced content of low-coordinated sites on small NPs. The presence of residual cationic Zn species in the catalysts was also revealed during CO_(2)RR via operando X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy measurements. Such species are expected to play a role in the selectivity trends obtained. Our findings can serve as guidance for the development of highly active and CO-selective Zn-based catalysts for CO_(2)RR.