Electric-field-driven CO₂ polarization and bioinspired proton blocking unlock CO₂ reduction in strong acid without metal cations.

ABSTRACT: Metal-cation-free CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂R) in strong acidic media mitigates CO₂ reactant losses, eliminates the risk of metal salt precipitation, and broadens device tolerance compared to acidic, neutral, or alkaline system using metal cations. However, such an acidic environment still poses challenges due to the inert and nonpolar nature of CO₂ and intensely competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. Inspired by aquaporins in acidophiles, we engineer sharp-triangle Au nanostructures capped with a hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) layer enriched with cationic sites. The intense local electric fields generated by the high-curvature tips of Au nanocatalyst polarize CO₂ molecules, increasing their dipole moment to facilitate ads

SUBMITTER: Chen L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12913952 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature