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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Dynamic Te-OH Proton Relay Enables Industrial-Level Acidic CO2 Electroreduction on Single-Atom Catalysts
Jianfa Chen1, Zhongfen Nie1, Tianjing Wang1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fuel Cell Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
A new dynamic proton-relay strategy using nickel-nitrogen sites and tellurium species (Ni-N/Te-C) enhances electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) efficiency in acidic media. This catalyst achieves high CO selectivity and current density, overcoming limitations of previous methods.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) in acidic media offers advantages but faces challenges with proton supply at high current densities.
- Localized alkalization and insufficient proton supply limit CO2RR kinetics and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dynamic proton-relay strategy for efficient and selective electrochemical CO2RR.
- To overcome proton supply limitations in acidic media for enhanced CO2 utilization.
Main Methods:
- Integration of atomically dispersed Ni-N sites with adjacent Te species on a carbon support (Ni-N/Te-C).
- Utilizing reversible Te-OH/Te-O- couples for water activation and controlled proton delivery.
- In situ spectroscopic characterization and theoretical calculations to elucidate reaction mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Ni-N/Te-C demonstrated high CO selectivity (>94.8%) over a wide potential window (-0.8 to -1.4 V vs. RHE).
- Achieved industrial CO current density of 562.5 mA cm-2 and a turnover frequency of 16291.9 h-1 at -1.4 V.
- Exhibited remarkable durability, maintaining 93.8% selectivity for 300 hours at 100.0 mA cm-2.
Conclusions:
- The dynamic proton-relay strategy effectively synchronizes proton supply with CO2RR intermediates, suppressing hydrogen evolution.
- Te-OH-mediated proton relay significantly lowers energy barriers for water dissociation and CO2 protonation, accelerating *COOH formation.
- Ni-N/Te-C presents a promising catalyst for efficient and durable electrochemical CO2 utilization.
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