p-block doped semi-metallic xenes as highly selective and efficient transition-metal free single atom catalysts for electrochemical CO reduction

The development of robust and inexpensive catalysts for the electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) is key for sustainable production of valuable chemicals, yet it remains a long-standing challenge. Herein, we conduct a systematic theoretical investigation on p-block doping of semi-metallic xene monolayers to afford transition metal free catalysts for the CORR. Silicene (Si) and germanene (Ge) are suitable platforms for capturing the dopant (B/Al) to ensure high stability. Our single atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates for CORR due to their favorable initial CO adsorption and the selectivity of CO reduction over H2 evolution. B@Si, Al@Si, Al@Ge and B@Ge exhibit superior CORR catalytic activity with a limiting potential UL of 0.04, −0.39, −0.40, and −0.40 V, respectively. Notably, B@Si is identified as the best CORR electrocatalyst with an overpotential of less than 0.1 V. B@Si, Al@Si, Al@Ge exhibit high CORR selectivity towards CH3OH production, whereas B@Ge is predicted to form mainly CH4. The fundamental principles behind the outstanding CORR catalytic enhancement are disclosed by analyzing the structural and electronic configurations of two key intermediates, CO* and CHO*. CO* binds the dopant with moderate strength through a combination of σ-donation and π-backdonation unique for a transition metal free catalyst, whereas CHO* adsorbs strongly to the surface by the simultaneous binding to two neighboring atomic sites; consequently, the binding of the two intermediates breaks the scaling relation that limits the CORR activity of conventional catalysts. The optimal adsorption behaviors are attributed to the surface charge modulation induced by the substitutional doping. Hence, these findings may facilitate rational design of xene-based SACs for CORR and advance other catalytic applications.