Amine-Functionalized Metal-Free Nanocarbon to Boost Selective CO₂ Electroreduction to CO in a Flow Cell

Highly efficient electrochemical CO₂-to-CO conversion is a promising approach for achieving carbon neutrality. While nonmetallic carbon electrocatalysts have shown potential for CO₂-to-CO utilization in H-type cells, achieving efficient conversion in flow cells at an industrial scale remains challenging. In this study, we present a cost-effective synthesis strategy for preparing ultrathin 2D carbon nanosheet catalysts through simple amine functionalization. The optimized catalyst, NCNs-2.5, demonstrates exceptional CO selectivity with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 98% and achieves a high current density of 55 mA cm^-2 in a flow cell. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibits excellent long-term stability, operating continuously for 50 h while maintaining a CO selectivity above 90%. The superior catalytic activity of NCNs-2.5 is attributed to the presence of amine-N active sites within the carbon lattice structure. This work establishes a foundation for the rational design of cost-effective nonmetallic carbon catalysts as sustainable alternatives to metals in energy conversion systems.