Work

β-PdBi2 monolayer: two-dimensional topological metal with superior catalytic activity for carbon dioxide electroreduction to formic acid

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: The lack of efficient electrocatalysts has been a main obstacle for the large-scale commercialization of CO2 electroreduction. In this work, we demonstrate that two-dimensional (2D) beta-PdBi2 mono-layer is a promising solution for this issue. beta-PdBi2 monolayer is a stable 2D crystal and the three-dimensional (3D) bulk interlayer energy is similar as for other layered materials that can be exfoliated into 2D crystals. Interestingly, beta-PdBi2 monolayer has rather intri-guing electronic properties: while being metallic, it also has a non-trivial topological point. Remarkably, the extra electronic states at the Fermi level induced by the intrinsic spinorbit coupling (SOC) effect significantly enhance the adsorption of OCHO* intermediate on beta-PdBi2 monolayer, resulting in a rather small onset potential of -0.26 V vs. RHE for CO2 electroreduction to HCOOH. These results not only suggest a promising candidate for CO2 electrolysis but also deepen our understanding of the factors dominating the catalytic activity of 2D materials.

Source: Materials Today Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtadv.2020.100091

Authors: X. Zhu, Y. Wang, Y. Jing, T. Heine, Y. Li

Institutions: Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Technische Universität Dresden

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,000