Defects and Conductive Nitrogen-Carbon Framework Regulated ZnInOx Nanosheets for Boosting CO2 Electrocatalytic Reduction

Reducing the dimension and creating defects are effective approaches to increase the active sites of catalysts. Herein, the defective ZnInOx/NCE catalyst was successfully prepared under the inspiration of 3D porous structure of melamine sponge. The functionalized ZnInOx/NCE features larger electrochemical active surface area, higher carbon dioxide adsorption capacity and faster charge transfer rate, which is conducive to electrochemical reduction CO2 to HCOO center dot. ZnInOx/NCE exhibits the highest Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 90.5% for HCOO center dot production at a moderate overpotential of 0.9 V with a good stability. The study of catalysts structure and reaction mechanisms demonstrate that the superior activity is attributed to the synergistic effect among the MS-derived NCF conductive matrix and the reduced dimensionality and abundant defects of ZnInOx.