Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) study of electrochemical CO2 reduction on Sn electrocatalysts

The extenuation of CO 2 emissions using electrochemical CO 2 reduction (ECR) is a promising approach. Electrochemical routes offer a number of benefits, including customizable layout, precise product modification, mild operational temperatures, and the ability to combine CO 2 reduction with the production of renewable electricity. Nevertheless, the essential technique for reprocessing CO 2 as a renewable resource is electrochemical CO 2 reduction, yet CO 2 adsorption/reduction on catalyst surfaces is challenging. To address these concerns, Mn 3 O 4 and Sn were produced in this work at room temperature via an electrodeposition technique, which was combined with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor suitable for room-temperature monitoring of ECR. QCM is a compelling technique for closely inspecting the responses of CO 2 reduction in real time under various applied conditions. QCM was used for the first time to study the effects of Sn electrocatalysts for ECR research, and revealed the CO 2 adsorption/reduction capabilities of diverse Sn catalysts. A broad investigation showed the CO 2 reduction detecting ability of Sn coated QCM sensors at room temperature. The final results revealed that Sn catalysts' capacity to reduce CO 2 was evident both with and without CO 2 present in the solution of sodium bicarbonate electrolyte. For all the appropriate conditions, the effect of CO 2 saturated electrolyte solution on the frequency and mass change with time along with applied potential were discussed in detail. • QCM is used to study electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction on nanostructured Sn catalysts. • QCM is used for the first time for CO 2 adsorption/reduction study on Sn catalysts. • Sn Nanostructures (dendrites, rods or sheets) were controlled by electrodeposition. • Electrodeposited Mn 3 O 4 (nano particle flakes) were used as anode catalysts. • QCM frequency with potential can be correlated with adsorption/reduction of CO 2 .