Sharp-Tipped Zinc Nanowires as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Carbon Dioxide Reduction.

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction is a key reaction for carbon dioxide conversion to valuable fuels and chemicals. Due to the intrinsic stability of the carbon dioxide molecule, a catalyst is required to minimize the energy input and improve the reaction rates. Although the developed catalysts still suffer from low catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability, these could be enhanced by the involvement of sharp tip structure. Here, we report a nanowire-like zinc electrocatalyst with sharp tips for carbon dioxide reduction. The catalyst achieves a geometry current density of -40 mA cm-2 at a potential of -0.95 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode over 35 hours with a stable carbon monoxide Faradaic efficiency of 98±2 %. The carbon monoxide partial current density surpasses by 60 % of that of the best reported zinc catalyst.