Metallic Nitride Decorated CNT-based catalyst for electrochemical reduction of CO₂ is a product that can be used in electrochemical reactors and electrolyzer stacks for transforming carbon dioxide electrochemically to other products such as CO. This electrocatalyst product demonstrated excellent selectivity towards CO generation with efficiencies greater than 98%, ultra-low onset overpotential, and excellent electrocatalytic activity for obtaining high current density values relevant to industrial-scale applications. The novel synthesis method not only reduces the wt% of the metallic clusters from the core or tip of the CNTs that results in higher purity CNTs in terms of a final product, but also relocates part of the seed material (i.e., transiton metal seeding used to initiate the manufacturing of CNTs such as nickel, iron, etc.) to external surface of the CNTs and establishes electroactive metallic nitride nanclusters (~1 nm) that increases the selectivity of the stated catalyst towards CO gas formation.

Surface Decoration of CNTs:

The following image provides a schematics of the synthesis and growth of Ni-based metallic nitride nanoclusters (~1nm) from the initial encapsulated Ni nanoparticles in the commercial CNTs. These images are courtesy of publication by Ying Li et al. 2025.

Surface Characterization:

Bright-field TEM, TEM, and HAADF-STEM images for this catalyst product are given below: a) Bright-field TEM image with resolution scale set to 100 nm and b,c) HAADF-STEM and corresponding elemental maps of as received raw CNT. d) TEM, e,f) HAADF-STEM and corresponding elemental maps of as-prepared Metallic Nitride Decorated CNT-based catalyst (labeled as CNT-PTFE-Mel-650 in the publication images). These images are courtesy of publication by Ying Li et al. 2025.

Electrochemical Characterization (CO2RR Performance Evaluation) in a Traditional H-Cell:

The CO2RR performance of this catalyst product in a traditional H-cell is given below. The following graph provides detailed information for the CO current density and CO Faradaic efficiency as a function of applied potential for CNT-PTFE-Mel samples including Metallic Nitride Decorated CNT-based catalyst (which is labeled as CNT-PTFE-Mel-650 in the original publication images). a,b) CNT-PTFE-Mel samples pyrolyzed at varied temperatures, c,d) CNT co-pyrolyzed with both PTFE and melamine in comparison with those pyrolyzed with PTFE or melamine alone, and e,f) CNT-PTFE-Mel sample prepared by regular-grade CNTs in comparison with that by industrial-grade CNTs. All results are based on H-cell measurements under neutral pH electrolyte (0.5 M KHCO3). These images are courtesy of publication by Ying Li et al. 2025.

CO Faradaic efficiency as a function of different current densities and performance demonstration in the MEA or membrane electrode assembly configuration demonstrate that this electrochemical CO2 reduction catalyst can achieve very high current densities such as 700-800 mA/cm2 and good longevity.  a) Faradaic efficiency toward CO and applied potentials on CNT-Mel-650 and CNT-PTFE-Mel-650 at various current densities under pure feed CO2, b) 50 vol.% feed CO2 (balance Argon) and c) pure CO2 with variations in CNT type during preparation. d) 60 h stability test at a constant current density of 100 mA cm−2. e) Stability test in 5 cm2 MEA at 150 mA cm−2 (0.75 A) of current density with Nickel Foam as the anode. All electrochemical results were conducted in a flow-cell using 1.0 M KOH electrolyte. These findings show that this catalyst product has extremely high selectivity for CO generation from the electrochemical reduction of CO2. These images are courtesy of publication by Ying Li et al. 2025.

Relevant Scientific Literature For This Product:

The publication by Ying Li et al. entitled "Single-Step Conversion of Metal Impurities in CNTs to Electroactive Metallic Nitride Nanoclusters for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction" (Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025, e03439) is an excellent source.

Licensing Statement:

This "Metallic Nitride Decorated CNT-based catalyst for electrochemical reduction of CO₂" product has been offered through Fuel Cell Store to the researchers and it has been licensed by The Texas A&M University System, an agency of the State of Texas, with principal offices in College Station, Texas and under Patent Rights (invention number TAMUS 6408, entitled "Single-Step Conversion of Metal Impurities in CNTs to Electroactive Metallic Nitride Nanoclusters for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction" to Trygve Enterprises LLC (DBA Fuel Cell Store, Licensee). This stated license is a non-exclusive license.

This product is sold for investigational use only and no other rights are granted or implied, provided "as is" without any warranty or guarantee.

A typical lead time of 3-5 days is expected for this product.