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Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Unveiling the Proton-Electron Transfer Pathway in Zn-Embedded N-Doped Carbon Catalyst for Enhanced CO2
Rong Wang1, Chuan Gao1, Haiwei Su1
1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Proton-electron transfer (PET) processes play a pivotal role in numerous electrochemical reactions; yet, effectively harnessing them remains a formidable challenge. Consequently, unveiling the PET pathway is imperative to elucidate the factors influencing the efficiency and selectivity of small molecule electrochemical conversion. In this study, a Zn-NC model catalyst with N and C vacancies was synthesized using a hydriding method to investigate the universal impact of PET on CO2 electroreduction. The introduction of N vacancies induced the formation of a distinctive Zn-N3 topological structure and atomically populated Znδ+ sites with lower valence states, thereby facilitating the cleavage of the C═O bonds. Conversely, C vacancies led to the formation of stable C-H bonds and tuned the rate of dissociation of H2O to H*. In comparison to sequential proton-electron transfer, concerted proton-electron transfer significantly enhanced the formation of *COOH species, a critical step in the CO2 reduction process on a Zn-enhanced N-doped carbon catalyst. The catalyst exhibited a remarkable 96% CO Faradaic efficiency at -0.36 V vs RHE. This research contributes to the ongoing endeavors to unlock the full potential of concerted proton-electron transfer in electrochemical synthesis and its application in sustainable energy and environmental solutions.
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