Zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived composites with SnO 2 and ZnO phase components for electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) and its derivatives have attracted a great deal of attention in the field of electrocatalysis. In this paper, a series of tin (Sn)-modified ZIF-based composites (ZSO- X / Y ) are synthesized and used as catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to produce low-carbon fuels. Among the catalysts obtained, ZSO-2/8 shows the best formate (HCOO - ) selectivity compared with others. A faradaic efficiency of 76.70% and a catalytic current density of -9.81 mA cm -2 can be respectively achieved at a potential of -1.16 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode ( V RHE ). The high catalytic performance can be attributed to the stable coexistence of two-phase components of SnO 2 /ZnO inside the catalyst. This work provides an insight into the development of high performance ZIF-based catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 .