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Activating inert non-defect sites in Bi catalysts using tensile strain engineering for highly active CO2 electroreduction

Author

Listed:
  • Xingbao Chen

    (Wuhan University of Technology
    University of Auckland)

  • Ruihu Lu

    (University of Auckland)

  • Chengbo Li

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Wen Luo

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Ruohan Yu

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Jiexin Zhu

    (Wuhan University of Technology
    University of Auckland)

  • Lei Lv

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Yuhang Dai

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Shanhe Gong

    (Jiangsu University)

  • Yazhou Zhou

    (VŠB─Technical University of Ostrava)

  • Weiwei Xiong

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Jiahao Wu

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Hongwei Cai

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Xinfei Wu

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Zhaohui Deng

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Boyu Xing

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Lin Su

    (The Southeast University)

  • Feiyue Wang

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Feiyang Chao

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Wei Chen

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

  • Chuan Xia

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Ziyun Wang

    (University of Auckland)

  • Liqiang Mai

    (Wuhan University of Technology)

Abstract

Bi-defect sites are highly effective for CO2 reduction (CO2RR) to formic acid, yet most catalytic surfaces predominantly feature inert, non-defective Bi sites. To overcome this limitation, herein, tensile strain is introduced on wholescale non-defective Bi sites. Under rapid thermal shock, the Bi-based metal-organic framework (Bi-MOF-TS) shows weakened Bi–O bonds and produced tiny Bi clusters. During electrochemical reduction, these clusters create numerous continuous vacancies, inducing weak tensile strain over a large range of surrounding non-defective Bi sites. This strain enhances *OHCO intermediates adsorption and substantially lowers the reaction barrier. As a result, Bi-MOF-TS achieves a faradaic efficiency above 90% across 800 mV potential range, with an impressive formate partial current density of −995 ± 93 mA cm−2. Notably, Bi-MOF-TS exhibits a high HCOOH faradaic efficiency of 96 ± 0.64% at 400 mA cm−2 in acidic electrolyte and a high single-pass carbon conversion efficiency (SPCE) of 62.0%. Additionally, a Zn-CO2 battery with Bi-MOF-TS as the cathode demonstrates a peak power density of 21.4 mW cm−2 and maintains stability over 300 cycles.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingbao Chen & Ruihu Lu & Chengbo Li & Wen Luo & Ruohan Yu & Jiexin Zhu & Lei Lv & Yuhang Dai & Shanhe Gong & Yazhou Zhou & Weiwei Xiong & Jiahao Wu & Hongwei Cai & Xinfei Wu & Zhaohui Deng & Boyu Xin, 2025. "Activating inert non-defect sites in Bi catalysts using tensile strain engineering for highly active CO2 electroreduction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56975-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56975-8
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