Exploring Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub> Nanoplates as Versatile Catalysts for Electrochemical Reduction of Small Molecules
Nan Zhang, Fangfang Zheng, Bolong Huang, Yujin Ji, Qi Shao, Youyong Li, Xiangheng Xiao, Xiaoqing Huang
Abstract
Abstract The electroreduction of small molecules to high value‐added chemicals is considered as a promising way toward the capture and utilization of atmospheric small molecules. Discovering cheap and efficient electrocatalysts with simultaneously high activity, selectivity, durability, and even universality is desirable yet challenging. Herein, it is demonstrated that Bi 2 Te 3 nanoplates (NPs), cheap and noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts, can be adopted as highly universal and robust electrocatalysts, which can efficiently reduce small molecules (O 2 , CO 2 , and N 2 ) into targeted products simultaneously. They can achieve excellent activity, selectivity and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction with almost 100% H 2 O 2 selectivity, the CO 2 reduction reaction with up to 90% Faradaic efficiency (FE) of HCOOH, and the nitrogen reduction reaction with 7.9% FE of NH 3 . After electrochemical activation, an obvious Te dissolution happens on the Bi 2 Te 3 NPs, creating lots of Te vacancies in the activated Bi 2 Te 3 NPs. Theoretical calculations reveal that the Te vacancies can modulate the electronic structures of Bi and Te. Such a highly electroactive surface with a strong preference in supplying electrons for the universal reduction reactions improves the electrocatalytic performance of Bi 2 Te 3 . The work demonstrates a new class of cheap and versatile catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of small molecules with potential practical applications.