Selectivity switching between CO and formate for CO_(2) reduction on Sb modified amorphous ZnO by electronic effect

The adjustable intermediate binding capacity in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide(CO_(2))reduction is critical for varying the reaction pathways to desired products.Herein,we first report the synthesis of boron-doped amorphous zinc oxide with(B-a-ZnO-Sb)or without antimony nanoparticles embedding(B-a-ZnO)via one-step wet chemical method,which is easy to scale up by enlarging the vessel and increasing feeding.Sb successfully realizes the product switching from CO on B-a-ZnO to formate on B-a-ZnOSb.Both experimental and theoretical results reveal that Sb weakens the charge interaction on Zn atoms.Based on the moderate adsorption of*COOH and strong adsorption of*OCHO and*HCOOH for B-a-ZnO,the foreign Sb weakens the adsorption of these intermediates and brings about a favor formate production instead of CO.This work points out a new direction for the synthesis of amorphous ZnO-based catalysts and provides advanced insights into the aimed selectivity switch for CO_(2)reduction by electronic effect.