Efficient Electroreduction CO₂ to CO over MnO₂ Nanosheets

As a critical alternative step for the synthesis of important chemical feedstocks and complex carbon-based fuels, the electrochemical transformation of CO₂ into CO holds great significance for the chemical industry. Here, MnO₂ nanosheets array supported nickel foam has been synthesized and adopted as a binder-free catalyst for electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). The well-distributed nanosheets of MnO₂ impart a much higher density of accessible active sites for CO₂RR, enabling the selective CO₂ reduction to CO with a large current density (14.1 mA cm^-2), excellent Faradaic efficiency (71%) and high electrochemical stability (10 h). This work first demonstrates the great potential of Mn-based oxides for electrocatalytic transformation of CO₂ to valuable products.