Recent progress of Bi-based electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Excess atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) poses significant environmental challenges.
• Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers a sustainable pathway to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals.
• Bismuth-based electrocatalysts, particularly unary Bi and binary BiSn, show promise for CO2RR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in unary Bi and binary BiSn electrocatalysts for CO2RR.
• To analyze preparation methods, morphologies, catalytic performance, and reaction mechanisms.
• To highlight the potential of solid-state electrolytes for formic acid production.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on Bi and BiSn electrocatalysts for CO2RR.
• Categorization and analysis of catalyst preparation, morphology, and performance data.
• Examination of reaction mechanisms and economic prospects of formic acid production.

Main Results:

• Unary Bi and binary BiSn electrocatalysts demonstrate high faradaic efficiencies for formate/formic acid production.
• Formic acid is a valuable chemical with applications in various industries.
• Solid-state electrolytes offer economic advantages for high-purity formic acid synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Bi-based electrocatalysts are effective for CO2RR, yielding valuable formic acid.
• Further research is needed to address challenges and enhance catalytic functionalities.
• Optimized electrocatalyst design and process integration are crucial for industrial CO2RR applications.