A Mixed‐Ligand Metal–Organic Framework Strategy to Construct High‐Density O/S‐Shelled Ag Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts for Syngas Modulation
ABSTRACT Surface ligands can reshape the near‐site microenvironment for CO 2 electroreduction; however, it remains difficult to install and retain high‐density ligand layers with well‐defined composition under cathodic reconstruction. Here, we introduce a mixed‐ligand metal–organic framework strategy that prearranges lattice‐matched ligands at tunable ratios and translates this composition control into the working catalysts. An Ag–triazole mixed‐linker precursor, MAF‐stu‐11(O/S), is constructed from two ditopic triazole ligands that differ only by ether versus thioether bridges, enabling defined S:O feed ratios while preserving an isoreticular framework. During electrolysis, the crystalline precursors reconstruct into ligand‐shelled Ag nanoparticle catalysts while retaining detectable O/S‐rich interfacial species derived from the parent scaffold. This enables systematic tuning of syngas selectivity through the combined effects of O/S ligand ratio and applied potential, with H 2 /CO continuously adjustable from about 0.14 to 2.86 while sustaining practical current densities. Electrochemical analyses and in situ ATR‐FTIR tracking of both intermediates and ligand evolution support a ligand‐mediated regulation of interfacial proton/water accessibility and CO 2 activation. More broadly, this work provides a potentially general route to access composition‐defined, high‐density ligand‐shelled metal nanoparticle electrocatalysts via metal–organic framework rational design and electrochemical reconstruction.
Authors
- Xudong Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7449-1410)
- Xiao‐Chun Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5495-7914)
- Haifeng Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0227-9861)
- Qi Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6549-9362)
- Mian Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1293-3636)
- Hao-Ran Chu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4599-3184)
- Ren-feng Yang
- Weipeng Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6396-9300)
- Xiao‐Hui Li
- Yu‐Die Zhang
- Kai‐Zhong Zhang
- Xian‐Yue Song
- Xiao‐Hong Xiong
Institutions
- Shantou University (CN)
- Ji Hua Laboratory (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- EcoEnergy
- Published
- 2026-09-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ece2.70129
- Primary Topic
- CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00