Coupled Stacking Faults in Silver Nanorods for CO₂ Electroreduction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Defect interactions are known to tune mechanical properties of structural materials.
• Their impact on the physicochemical performance of functional materials remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of defect interactions on the catalytic properties of silver (Ag) nanorods.
• To explore defect engineering as a strategy for enhancing functional material performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Ag nanorods with dense stacking faults.
• Experimental and theoretical analyses to study defect structures and catalytic mechanisms.
• Electrochemical evaluation of carbon dioxide electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) performance.

Main Results:

• Stacking faults in Ag nanorods couple to form an opposite-atom structure with high tensile strain.
• This unique structure enhances the adsorption and activation of carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules.
• Achieved high CO partial current density (-11.87 mA cm-2 at -0.8 V vs RHE) and Faraday efficiency (>95%) for CO2RR.

Conclusions:

• Defect interaction is a viable strategy for improving the catalytic performance of functional materials.
• Engineered Ag nanorods demonstrate superior CO2RR activity, offering potential for CO2 utilization.