(560bc) Non-Noble Metals Doped Bi-Nanoparticles for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ by using ionic liquid (ILs) and metal nanoparticles have been attracting research efforts. Our previous work has shown that the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to CO can be realized over surface-activated bismuth nanoparticles (NPs) with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([bimi][OTf]) as the electrolyte. Particularly, by using the activated 36-nm Bi NPs on glassy carbon as the electrode, the Faradic efficiency of CO could reach 96.1%. In this work, non-noble metals (Cu, Sn) doped Bi NPs are prepared and then adopted as the cathode to achieve C₂ products in MeCN/H₂O electrolyte with the assistance of [bimi][OTf]. By virtue of controlling the reaction conditions, e.g., the pH of the solution, the doping concentration of the metal and reaction temperature, the optimal Cu, Sn-doped Bi NPs capable of effectively making the CO* intermediate continue to react can be obtained.