journal article·2025-11Open access

Bismuth Silicate Catalyst for Efficient Electrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction and Electrolyte‐Free Formic Acid Production

Ping Zhu, Xin‐Hao Cai, Cheng‐Cheng Huang, Ying Zhou, Na Chu, Zi‐Bo Jing, Wen‐Long Wang, Bilu Liu, Yong Jiang, Qian‐Yuan Wu

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 41

Abstract

Abstract The rising atmospheric CO 2 levels pose significant environmental challenges. Electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction offers a promising approach for converting CO 2 into valuable chemicals such as formate or formic acid. However, the development of efficient electrocatalysts, a deeper mechanistic understanding, and the minimization of energy consumption during product purification remain critical challenges to practical carbon utilization. Here, layered Bi 2 SiO 5 is designed as a pre‐catalyst, which undergoes electrochemical reconstruction into a Bi@Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 composite. The catalyst achieves a Faradaic efficiency for formate of 95.8% at −1.06 V and maintains over 90% across a wide potential range, outperforming Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 and Bi. In situ characterizations reveal that Bi 2 SiO 5 converts to Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 through anion exchange, followed by partial reduction to form Bi@Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 . Charge redistribution at the interface facilitates the proton‐coupled electron transfer of * CO 2 and desorption of * HCOOH, thereby enhancing formate production, as supported by theoretical calculations. Furthermore, integrating the catalyst into an electrolytic cell containing solid‐state electrolytes enables the continuous production of electrolyte‐free formic acid, simplifying product separation and purification. This work provides insights for the development of practical carbon utilization.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts · Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis · Ionic liquids properties and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Carbon Sequestration Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control Ministry of Ecology and Environment State Key Laboratory of Regional Environment and Sustainability Institute of Environment and Ecology Shenzhen International Graduate School Tsinghua University Shenzhen 518055 P. R. China

Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control of Shenzhen Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Urban Water Recycling and Environmental Safety Institute of Environment and Ecology Shenzhen International Graduate School Tsinghua University Shenzhen 518055 P. R. China

Department of Materials Science and Technology University of Science and Technology of China Anhui 230026 P. R. China

Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse College of Environmental and Resource Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou 350117 P. R. China

Institute of Materials Research Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School Tsinghua University Shenzhen 518055 P. R. China

College of Resources and Environment Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou 350002 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program

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