Selectivity switching between CO and formate for CO2 reduction on Sb modified amorphous ZnO by electronic effect

The adjustable intermediate binding capacity in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) reduction is critical for varying the reaction pathways to desired products. Herein, we first report the synthesis of boron-doped amorphous zinc oxide with (B-a-ZnO-Sb) or without antimony nanoparticles embedding (B-a-ZnO) via one-step wet chemical method, which is easy to scale up by enlarging the vessel and increasing feeding. Sb successfully realizes the product switching from CO on B-a-ZnO to formate on B-a-ZnO-Sb. Both experimental and theoretical results reveal that Sb weakens the charge interaction on Zn atoms. Based on the moderate adsorption of ⋆COOH and strong adsorption of ⋆OCHO and ⋆HCOOH for B-a-ZnO, the foreign Sb weakens the adsorption of these intermediates and brings about a favor formate production instead of CO. This work points out a new direction for the synthesis of amorphous ZnO-based catalysts and provides advanced insights into the aimed selectivity switch for CO 2 reduction by electronic effect.