Tuning Metal Catalyst with Metal–C3N4 Interaction for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) has attracted significant interest in the storage of renewable solar energy and mitigation of environmental issues. Here, we report a strategy to tune metal electrocatalyst by means of metal–substrate interactions to boost CO 2 RR process. It was found that carbon nitride (C 3 N 4 ) supported Au nanoparticles (Au/C 3 N 4 ) exhibit a better performance than carbon-supported Au nanoparticles (Au/C). The combined experimental and theoretical results evidence that Au–C 3 N 4 interaction induces the formation of negatively charged Au surface, which could stabilize the key intermediate *COOH. Similar enhanced CO 2 RR performance is also observed on C 3 N 4 supported Ag nanoparticles (Ag/C 3 N 4 ), demonstrating the universality of this strategy for enhancing CO 2 RR.