Carbon foam decorated with silver nanoparticles for electrochemical CO₂ conversion

Electrochemistry is a promising method to recycle CO₂ into useful carbon feedstock and for storing intermittent renewable energy. To date, Au and Ag nanoparticles are the most active catalysts for electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to CO. However, agglomeration reduces the activity and the high cost slows widespread commercialization. Suitable support materials are thus needed to improve catalyst utilization. We explore carbon foam (CF) as a catalyst support. Compared with carbon black or graphene nanoplatelets, CF has higher surface area, larger pores, and more defects, resulting in improved uniformity of Ag nanoparticle distribution as well as higher activity and efficiency for CO₂ conversion to CO.