Fabrication of ZnS/Zn electrode using sulphur infiltration method for CO2 reduction into CO in organic media

Developing of high efficient electrode materials for CO 2 reduction is very important in CO 2 conversion and recycling utilization. In this work, we have fabricated ZnS/Zn electrode using sulphur infiltration method. This method is a well-developed technology in surface treatment. ZnS/Zn electrode fabricated via sulphur infiltration method has a crucial advantage: because sulfur atomic is infiltrated into Zn substrate, a translation layer is formed and sandwiches between ZnS layer and Zn substrate. As a result, ZnS connects with Zn substrate firmly, and the exfoliation of ZnS layer from Zn substrate is avoided. The ZnS/Zn has been investigated as the cathode for CO 2 electro-reduction in propylene carbonate/tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (PC/TBAP) in membrane electrolysis cell. The current density of potentiostatic electrolysis remains stable at 6.72 mA/cm 2 at voltage −2.4 V and the faradaic efficiency of CO formation reaches to 92%. Comparing with Zn electrode, ZnS/Zn exhibits higher catalytic activity.