Biosynthesized silver nanorings as a highly efficient and selective electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction

Author(s)

Pan, Yani ^[1] ; Paschoalino, Waldemir J. ^[1] ; Bayram, Serene S. ^[1] ; Blum, Amy Szuchmacher ^[1] ; Mauzeroll, Janine ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] McGill Univ, Dept Chem, 801 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, PQ H3A 0B8 - Canada

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NANOSCALE; v. 11, n. 40, p. 18595-18603, OCT 28 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Inspiration from nature has driven the development and applications of greener inorganic nanomaterials prepared using biotemplates in the field of nanoscience. In this study, we report the superiority of using a biosynthesized silver nanoring material for CO formation in CO2 saturated KHCO3. Compared to bulk silver and free silver nanoparticles prepared by pure chemical reduction, this silver nanoring (assembled on tobacco mosaic virus coat protein) exhibits significantly enhanced activity and selectivity for the conversion of CO2 to CO. The highest CO faradaic efficiency reaches 95.0% at an overpotential of 910 mV. Additionally, the CO partial current density is 2.7-fold higher than that of the free silver nanoparticles. We believe that the improved catalytic performance is related to the structuring ligand effect of the protein. The numerous functional groups on the protein may tune the reaction activity by influencing the binding energies of the intermediate species from CO2 reduction or hydrogen evolution. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/12910-5 - Investigation of the electrocatalytic activity of sensors based on graphene oxide decorated with PT, AU or Ag nanoparticles by scanning electrochemical microscopy
• Grantee: Waldemir José Paschoalino Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor