Ni Single Atoms Embedded in Graphene Nanoribbon Sieves for High-Performance CO2 Reduction to CO

Abstract

Ni single-atom catalysts (SACs) are appealing for electrochemical reduction CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR). However, regulating the balance between the activity and conductivity remains a challenge to Ni SACs due to the limitation of substrates structure. Herein, the intrinsic performance enhancement of Ni SACs anchored on quasi-one-dimensional graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) synthesized is demonstrated by longitudinal unzipping carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The abundant functional groups on GNRs can absorb Ni atoms to form rich Ni–N₄–C sites during the anchoring process, providing a high intrinsic activity. In addition, the GNRs, which maintain a quasi-one-dimensional structure and possess a high conductivity, interconnect with each other and form a conductive porous framework. The catalyst yields a 44 mA cm⁻² CO partial current density and 96% faradaic efficiency of CO (FE_CO) at −1.1 V vs RHE in an H-cell. By adopting a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) flow cell, a 95% FE_CO and 2.4 V cell voltage are achieved at 200 mA cm⁻² current density. This work provides a rational way to synthesize Ni SACs with a high Ni atom loading, porous morphology, and high conductivity with potential industrial applications.