Zn-based materials represent a class of low-cost, promising electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction but the tuning of catalytic activity and selectivity by varying composition and nanostructure is a challenge. Herein, a ZnTe/ZnO heterostructured material supported on N-doped carbon nanosheets (ZnTe/ZnO@C) is prepared with a novel ZnTe metal–organic framework (MOF). The hybrid material exhibits greatly enhanced performances for CO₂ reduction to formate with a sustained current density of 16 mA cm^–2 and a selectivity of 86% at −1.1 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in bicarbonate solutions. The observation of Te-promoted CO₂ reduction to formate, with high activity and selectivity, is notable in contrast to other Zn-based electrocatalysts. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis implies that selective formate formation is promoted by the stabilization of the key HCOO* intermediate on ZnTe. Additionally, ZnTe/ZnO@C is also an excellent catalyst for oxygen evolution owing to its high electrical conductivity and the high degree of covalency in ZnTe. The bifunctionality of ZnTe/ZnO@C toward both reactions is demonstrated by assembling a two-electrode electrochemical cell for CO₂/H₂O splitting and a fascinating rechargeable Zn–CO₂ battery. The latter, when constructed with ZnTe/ZnO@C as the cathode and Zn foil as the anode, yields a Zn–CO₂ battery fully based on Zn-based materials.

中文翻译：

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碲促进的锌基电催化剂选择性 CO2 还原生成甲酸盐

锌基材料代表了一类低成本、有前途的 CO ₂还原电催化剂，但通过改变成分和纳米结构来调节催化活性和选择性是一个挑战。在此，利用新型 ZnTe 金属有机框架 (MOF) 制备了负载在 N 掺杂碳纳米片 (ZnTe/ZnO@C) 上的 ZnTe/ZnO 异质结构材料。该杂化材料在 CO ₂还原生成甲酸盐方面表现出显着增强的性能，在碳酸氢盐溶液中具有 16 mA cm ^–2的持续电流密度和 86% 的选择性（-1.1 V与可逆氢电极 (RHE) 相比）。Te促进CO _2的观察与其他锌基电催化剂相比，还原成甲酸盐具有高活性和选择性。密度泛函理论 (DFT) 分析表明选择性甲酸盐的形成是通过稳定 ZnTe 上的关键 HCOO* 中间体来促进的。此外，由于 ZnTe/ZnO@C 的高导电性和 ZnTe 中的高度共价性，它也是一种优异的析氧催化剂。_{通过组装用于 CO 2} /H ₂ O 分解的双电极电化学电池和迷人的可充电 Zn-CO ₂电池，证明了 ZnTe/ZnO@C 对这两种反应的双功能。后者，当以 ZnTe/ZnO@C 作为阴极和 Zn 箔作为阳极时，产生 Zn-CO ₂完全基于锌基材料的电池。