Bimetallic SnBi catalyst in metal-organic framework for efficient electrocatalytic CO conversion.

Currently, electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into higher-value compounds is a promising approach. However, developing a stable and efficient catalyst with high selectivity for specific products remains a major challenge. Herein, we constructed a bismuth-based metal-organic framework (Bi-MOF) as a catalyst for the catalytic production of formic acid from carbon dioxide, to which different ratios of tin metal elements were doped. The catalyst Bi-MOF exhibited excellent catalytic performance, with a formic acid selectivity of 80 % at -1.8 V and a current density of 25 mA/cm. The catalytic mechanism of electrocatalytic CO reduction reaction (ECORR) was revealed using density functional theory calculations. The work demonstrated that tin metal doping in Bi-MOF could effectively promote the catalytic process of ECORR, providing valuable insights for the subsequent design of more commercially available ECORR catalysts and more efficient CO reduction systems.