Hierarchical Mesoporous SnO2 Nanosheets on Carbon Cloth: A Robust and Flexible Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction with High Efficiency and Selectivity

Abstract

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into liquid fuels is a promising approach to achieve a carbon-neutral energy cycle. However, conventional electrocatalysts usually suffer from low energy efficiency and poor selectivity and stability. A 3D hierarchical structure composed of mesoporous SnO₂ nanosheets on carbon cloth is proposed to efficiently and selectively electroreduce CO₂ to formate in aqueous media. The electrode is fabricated by a facile combination of hydrothermal reaction and calcination. It exhibits an unprecedented partial current density of about 45 mA cm^-2 at a moderate overpotential (0.88 V) with high faradaic efficiency (87±2 %), which is even larger than most gas diffusion electrodes. Additionally, the electrode also demonstrates flexibility and long-term stability. The superior performance is attributed to the robust and highly porous hierarchical structure, which provides a large surface area and facilitates charge and mass transfer.

Keywords: 3D electrodes; CO2 reduction; electrocatalysis; nanosheets; nanostructures.