Alignment of active sites on Ag-Ni catalysts for highly selective CO2 reduction to CO

Arranging the active ingredients on the support surface at the molecular or atomic scale to create high-selectivity sites for the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) holds great promise, which is highly challenging. In this study, we report a strategy for constructing a bimetallic Ag-Ni electrocatalyst with Ni nanoparticles for H2O dissociation, as well as Ni atoms in the carbon skeleton and Ag nanoparticles on the surface for the CO2RR. These sites synergistically enable high selectivity for improving the conversion of CO2 to CO. Specifically, the FECO reaches 99.3% on Ag-Ni/CB at −0.8 V vs. RHE, and its FECO can be maintained over 95.8% in the potential range from −0.8 to −1.1 V vs. RHE. Our research presents an approach for alignment of bifunctional two-component active sites on the surface of a carbon support. © 2025 The Royal Society of Chemistry.