Catalytic CO₂-to-CO conversion in water by covalently functionalized carbon nanotubes with a molecular iron catalyst

The covalent grafting of an Fe porphyrin on carbon nanotubes led to efficient electroreduction of CO₂ into CO in water (pH 7.3). CO was obtained with high selectivity and turnover at 0.5 V overpotential. The grafting strategy may be further extended to various conductive and semi-conductive surfaces.