Exfoliated 2D Layered and Nonlayered Metal Phosphorous Trichalcogenides Nanosheets as Promising Electrocatalysts for CO ₂ Reduction

Two-dimensional (2D) materials catalysts provide an atomic-scale view on a fascinating arena for understanding the mechanism of electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (CO2 ECR). Here, we successfully exfoliated both layered and nonlayered ultra-thin metal phosphorous trichalcogenides (MPCh3) nanosheets via wet grinding exfoliation (WGE), systematically investigated MPCh3 as CO2 ECR. Unlike CoPS3 NiPS3 nanosheets, active Sn atoms tend to be exposed surfaces SnPS3 nanosheets. Correspondingly, exhibit clearly improved catalytic activity, showing formic acid selectivity up 31.6 % with −7.51 mA cm−2 at −0.65 V vs. RHE. The enhanced performance can attributed formation HCOO* first proton-electron pair addition surface. These results new avenue understand novel ECR Sn-based MPCh3-based catalysts.