Chlorine tailored CdOxCly/Al2O3 for syngas formation in electrochemical CO2 reduction†

Abstract

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (eCO₂RR) is widely recognized as one of the most promising approaches to produce valuable chemicals especially syngas and mitigate carbon emissions. Hence, it holds immense significance to develop novel catalysts with exceptional efficiency and stability. In the present work, we presented the eCO₂RR to syngas over a CdO_xCl_y/Al₂O₃ nanorod catalyst (denoted as CdO_xCl_y/Al₂O₃ NRs) in an H-type cell. The results showed that the catalyst provides an adjustable H₂/CO ratio over a wide potential range of −1.0 V to −1.4 V (vs. RHE). The current density reached 59 mA cm⁻² at a potential of −1.4 V (vs. RHE) in 0.5 M KHCO₃ electrolyte. The introduction of chlorine increased the conductivity of the catalyst and promoted the electron transfer, which was further conducive to the production of CO. The preparation strategy of catalysts has important guiding significance for the design and preparation of catalysts with high efficiency in the eCO₂RR to syngas.