High local electric fields stabilized by dual Schottky junctions enable interfacial water regulation and K⁺ enrichment for durable CO2 electroreduction

Curvature-independent high-intensity local electric fields (LEFs) are realized. • Dual Ag-Zn/ZnO Schottky junctions effectively stabilize the formed LEFs. • The strong LEFs facilitate interfacial water regulation and K⁺ enrichment. • >95% CO Faradaic efficiency across − 1.0 to − 1.4 V vs .   RHE over 120 h. Localized electric fields (LEFs) are known to substantially boost electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction (ECO 2 RR). Nevertheless, conventional LEFs rely heavily on high-curvature nanostructures and inevitably undergo structural reconstruction and rapid field decay. Herein, we construct Ag nanoparticle-decorated Zn/ZnO nanosheets with dual Schottky junctions to create curvature-independent, high-intensity (4.1 × 10 7 V m −1 ) and long-duration stable LEFs. The catalyst delivers > 95% CO Faradaic efficiency across − 1.0 to − 1.4 V vs .   reversible hydrogen electrode and maintains robust stability over 120 h of continuous electrolysis. In situ spectroscopic characterizations verify favorable *COOH stabilization and accelerated *CO generation–desorption kinetics. The constructed strong LEF optimizes the interfacial microenvironment by disrupting rigid hydrogen-bonded water networks, stabilizing the K + –H 2 O solvation structures, and promoting interfacial K + enrichment. This work clarifies the critical role of LEF-regulated interfacial water structure in determining CO selectivity and breaks the conventional performance trade-off among activity, selectivity, and durability for high LEF electrocatalysts. Download: Download high-res image (92KB) Download: Download full-size image