F and N Codoped Bimetallic Oxide‐Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Electrode FN‐NA‐CLDH@RGO for Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO₂ to CO

Abstract

Currently, there is considerable interest in developing cost‐effective, high‐performance electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (ECR). Due to their low electrical conductivity and relatively weak catalytic activity, layered bimetallic oxides have rarely been applied in ECR studies. However, they contain a large specific surface area and are rich in Lewis bases, which are favorable for CO2 adsorption. Herein, F and N co‐doped layered bimetallic oxide and reduced graphene oxide composites with precisely controlled morphology are deposited directly on carbon paper using a simple constant current electrodeposition method (FN‐NA‐CLDH@RGO‐X, X denotes the deposition time). Notably, the doping of F helps to suppress the hydrogen precipitation reaction, while the doping of N enhances the adsorption and conversion of CO2. The CO2 reduction study in an H‐type electrolytic cell shows that the FN‐NA‐CLDH@RGO‐100 s electrode‐reduced CO2 to CO at an applied potential of −1.1 V with an efficiency of 87.9% (compared to the reversible hydrogen electrode). In addition, the doping of F favors the reduction of overpotential and the improvement of catalytic activity, while the synergistic effect of F and N enhances the catalytic activity without significant decay in more than 6 h of continuous testing.