Integrated Bismuth Oxide Ultrathin Nanosheets/Carbon Foam Electrode for Highly Selective and Energy-Efficient Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to HCOOH

Electroreduction of CO2 into formic acid (HCOOH) is of particular interest as a hydrogen carrier and chemical feedstock. However, its conversion is limited by a high overpotential and low stability due to undesirable catalysts and electrode design. Herein, an integrated 3D bismuth oxide ultrathin nanosheets/carbon foam electrode is designed by a sponge effect and N-atom anchor for energy-efficient and selective electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to HCOOH for the first time. Benefitting from the unique 3D array foam architecture for highly efficient mass transfer, and optimized exposed active sites, as confirmed by density functional theory calculations, the integrated electrode achieves high electrocatalytic performance, including superior partial current density and faradaic efficiency (up to 94.1 %) at a moderate overpotential as well as a high energy conversion efficiency of 60.3 % and long-term durability.