Engineering Sn‐based Catalytic Materials for Efficient Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction to Formate

Abstract

The electroreduction of CO2 provides a promising avenue to use renewable electricity for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. In particular, formate is attractive as a liquid hydrogen carrier or used directly in a fuel cell to generate electricity on demand. Sn‐based catalysts have emerged as promising catalysts, however key issues such as how to reduce overpotential, enhance selectivity and maximize long‐term stability are still yet to be resolved. In this minireview, we will highlight recent key advances in developing Sn‐based catalysts, covering experimental and computational efforts on this front. Intriguingly, among the various strategies employed, we find that modifying the Sn oxidation state towards electron deficiency has been most effective. Finally, we also provide a perspective and outlook on future research and development of these Sn‐based catalysts.

Nanostructure Engineering of Sn‐Based Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

“…Recently, some researchers have reported the progress of Sn‐based catalysts for ECO 2 R. [ 8,31,52,55–57 ] Zhao et al. and Cheng et al.…”

“…introduced the synthesis, catalytic performance, and reaction mechanism of Sn‐based catalysts for ECO 2 R according to the valence state of Sn; [ 31,57 ] Li et al. categorized the Sn‐based catalysts in terms of synthetic method and summarized the electrode fabrication and performance for ECO 2 R; [ 55 ] and Proietto et al. focused on formate production on Sn‐based catalysts from both the catalysts design and state‐of‐the‐art technologies for potential industrialization.…”

“…To steer the ECO 2 R to a specific desired product on Sn-based catalysts, tuning the binding property of intermediates on the surface of the catalysts is paramount. [54] Recently, some researchers have reported the progress of Sn-based catalysts for ECO 2 R. [8,31,52,[55][56][57] Zhao et al and Cheng et al introduced the synthesis, catalytic performance, and reaction mechanism of Sn-based catalysts for ECO 2 R according to the valence state of Sn; [31,57] Li et al categorized the Sn-based catalysts in terms of synthetic method and summarized the electrode fabrication and performance for ECO 2 R; [55] and Proietto et al focused on formate production on Sn-based catalysts from both the catalysts design and state-of-the-art technologies for potential industrialization. [52] It can be seen that the systematic summarization of the paradigm of nanostructure engineering for Sn-based catalysts is rare.…”

Catalytic Potential of Post‐Transition Metal Doped Graphene‐Based Single‐Atom Catalysts for the CO2 Electroreduction Reaction

“…[48] Sn, In, Bi and Pb surfaces are selective for HCOOH production with a Faradaic efficiency of ~90 %. [49][50][51][52][53] In, Sn and Bi can be used to build SACs, with HCOOas their most commonly produced product, [20,[54][55][56] but with specific coordination environments are able to be tailored to produce CO as the major product. [55,57] Thus, it is clear that pblock elements should be meticulously explored for their catalytic potential.…”

“…For example, an Al metal organic framework was recently found to favour the CO 2 RR and suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) [48] . Sn, In, Bi and Pb surfaces are selective for HCOOH production with a Faradaic efficiency of ∼90 % [49–53] . In, Sn and Bi can be used to build SACs, with HCOO ‐ as their most commonly produced product, [20,54–56] but with specific coordination environments are able to be tailored to produce CO as the major product [55,57] .…”