The Effect of Pulse Electrodeposition of Bismuth on Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formate

Efficient electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to formate is demonstrated by fabricating Bi nanoflake with pulse electrodeposition. The effect of pulse voltage on morphology of the Bi nanoflake and electrochemical property was investigated. The pulse voltage of 80 mV Ag/AgCl with six pulse cycles successfully produces ultrathin Bi nanoflakes. The finite-element-based simulation shows that the two-dimensional geometry with large lateral dimensions and ultrathin thickness can localize a strong electric field at the corner site of the flakes, resulting in facilitating efficient reduction of CO 2 to formate. As a result, formate Faradaic efficiency of the Bi nanoflakes showed over 90% at − 0.8 V RHE . Also, the formate production rate reached 69 µmol/cm 2 /h at − 0.8 V RHE . The pulse electrodeposition provides highly dense and uniform and tailored nanostructures in the large area without the requirements of high vacuum or high temperatures process. Graphical Abstract