A highly efficient diatomic nickel electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction

We report a facile but effective approach to construct a highly dispersed diatomic catalyst. A carbon-embedded diatomic Ni2 catalyst was synthesized from carbon black, polyaniline and nickel(ii) salts. The resulting catalyst exhibits excellent activity for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) at low Ni content with a faradaic efficiency of CO over 95% in the potential range from −0.6 V to −1.0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). A high specific current density of 37.2 A mg−1 Ni was recorded at −1.1 V, among the highest reported values for Ni-based electrocatalysts.