Modulating *OCHO Adsorption Configuration on a Reconstructed Ag 3 Sn Quantum Dots/S–Sn Heterostructure for Selective CO 2 ‐to‐Formate Conversion

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Authors: Xiaoli Zhao, Kai Wang, Zihan Chen, Yi Yang, Ruizhe Yang, Xinghua Zhu, Yuan Huang, Ming Huang
Cited by: 1
References: 47

Abstract

ABSTRACT Electrochemical CO 2 reduction to formate offers a promising route for sustainable chemical synthesis, yet achieving high selectivity and activity remains challenging due to the inefficient adsorption of key reaction intermediates. Here, an Ag 3 Sn alloy quantum dots‐modified S–doped Sn (Ag 3 Sn AQD/S─Sn) heterojunction catalyst is constructed using a galvanic replacement strategy followed by in situ reconstruction. This unique architecture creates abundant interfacial sites that form an integrated dual‐site configuration. Combined ex situ/in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that this configuration stabilizes the bidentate adsorption of the critical *OCHO intermediate, effectively lowering the energy barrier for its conversion. Consequently, the Ag 3 Sn AQD/S─Sn catalyst exhibits an enhanced Faradaic efficiency (FE) for formate of 91.8% (compared to 59.1% for S─Sn catalyst). Remarkably, in a flow cell, it achieves a high formate partial current density of –226.3 mA cm −2 (formate FE of 88.9 ± 1.6%) and a production rate of 4225.2 µmol cm −2 h −1 , along with stable operation exceeding 60 h at –200 mA cm −2 . This work highlights the design of interfacial dual‐site configurations as an effective strategy for steering intermediate adsorption toward selective CO 2 conversion.

Fields of Study & Subjects

CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Energy Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
16
Issue
26
Publication date
8 May 2026
Language
EN