Fabrication of SnSe2-graphene nanosheets for highly effectively electrocatalytic reduction of CO2

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to formate is an extremely attractive route. Here, we developed a SnSe 2 -graphene composite catalyst, and SnSe 2 nanosheets were linked to graphene by Sn-O-C bonds to form complicated hierarchical nanosheet structure. Due to the intrinsic activity of SnSe 2 and the modification of graphene, the catalyst performed excellent electrocatalytic efficacy for the reduction of CO 2 to formate, with a maximum Faraday efficiency up to 95.1% at -0.9 V (vs. RHE) and a current density of 11.8 mA cm −2 under the optimal conditions. Kinetic experiments indicated that the SnSe 2 -graphene composite achieved efficient formate selectivity for CO 2 reduction by increasing the initial transfer rate of electrons to the CO 2 molecule.