Rational design and synergistic effect of ultrafine Ag nanodots decorated fish-scale-like Zn nanoleaves for highly selective electrochemical CO₂ reduction

The electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is regarded as a promising route for renewable energy conversion and storage, but its development is limited by the high overpotential and low stability and selectivity of electrocatalysts. Moreover, it is complicated to accurately adjust the nanostructure of electrocatalysts, which impacts repeatability. Herein, we propose the rational design and controlled preparation of ultrafine Ag nanodots decorated fish-scale-like Zn nanoleaves (Ag-NDs/Zn-NLs) for highly selective electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction. The Ag-NDs/Zn-NLs can be in-situ grown on copper foil with simple electrodeposition and replacement reactions. Benefiting from the coordination and synergistic effect of Zn and Ag species, the reconstruction of Zn surface and the agglomeration of Ag-NDs are efficiently prevented, bringing high activity and durable electrocatalytic stability for CO₂-to-CO conversion. The Faradaic efficiency for CO production reaches 85.2% at a moderate applied potential of –1.0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). This study provides a promising approach for controlling the catalytic activity and selectivity of CO₂RR through the structural adjustment and decoration of transition metal based nanocatalysts.