Bifunctional Amorphous Phosphate Layer Simultaneously Boosts Proton Transfer and Stabilizes Zn Active Sites for Efficient CO 2 RR
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is an attractive electrocatalyst for converting CO 2 to carbon monoxide (CO) via the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO 2 RR), but its application is limited by poor selectivity and stability. In contrast to conventional crystalline modifiers or bulk buffers, we report a bifunctional strategy using an amorphous phosphate layer to simultaneously enhance proton transfer and stabilize Zn active sites. Amorphous phosphate‐modified zinc nanoflakes (Zn‐HPO 4 NF) were synthesized through a simple two‐step method. At −1.3 V versus RHE, the Zn‐HPO 4 catalyst delivers a CO Faradaic efficiency (FE CO ) of 86.4%. The catalyst exhibits exceptional durability at −1.4V versus RHE, sustaining a stable current of ~17 mA over 20 h with an average FE CO exceeding 80% and negligible current decay, significantly outperforming pure Zn. In situ spectroscopy and operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveal that amorphous hydrogen phosphate (HPO 4 2‐ ) modification promotes the adsorption of key intermediates (*CO 3 2‐ and *COOH), facilitates efficient proton transfer through the establishment of an ordered hydrogen‐bonding network (consistent with the Grotthuss mechanism), and stabilizes Zn active sites by acting as a buffer to regulate the local pH environment. These effects collectively enhance the stability and catalytic performance of the catalyst during CO 2 RR.
Fields of Study & Subjects
CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Chemical Looping and Thermochemical Processes
Publication details
- Journal / source
- ChemSusChem
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- e70648–e70648
- Publication date
- 15 May 2026
- Language
- EN