Unveiling hydrogen-source-dominated CO₂ electroreduction activity on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes.

ABSTRACT: In general, the activation of CO₂-rather than the availability of hydrogen source-is considered to be the determining step in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (eCO₂RR) processes. However, the dissociation of H₂O, which is the dominant hydrogen source in most metal-based catalysts for the eCO₂RR in alkaline/neutral and even acidic electrolytes, suffers from the challenges of high dissociation barrier and carbonate formation. Herein, we design nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs). N-CNTs possess weak H₂O dissociation ability and can switch the hydrogen source from the dissociation of H₂O to hydrated protons, thereby greatly enhancing the eCO₂RR activity. In situ characterization and theo

SUBMITTER: Jiang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12699428 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature