Rapid Selective Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formate by an Iridium Pincer Catalyst Immobilized on Carbon Nanotube Electrodes

An iridium pincer dihydride catalyst was immobilized on carbon nanotube‐coated gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) by using a non‐covalent binding strategy. The as‐prepared GDEs are efficient, selective, durable, gas permeable electrodes for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formate. High turnover numbers (ca. 54 000) and turnover frequencies (ca. 15 s−1) were enabled by the novel electrode architecture in aqueous solutions saturated in CO2 with added HCO3−. Zapping CO2 interfacially: An iridium pincer dihydride catalyst (in 0.1 M NaHCO3) was immobilized on a gas diffusion electrode. The catalytic system is efficient, selective, and stable for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate in water.