Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Researchers Develop Novel Catalyst for Producing Formic Acid

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Tianjin University, in collaboration with National Natural Science Foundation of China, have made a significant breakthrough in nanotechnology by developing a novel catalyst for producing formic acid through the electrochemical reduction of CO. The study, published in the journal ChemSusChem, utilized a lattice strain-rich bismuth nanoparticle integrated with anion exchange membrane to achieve a Faradaic efficiency of up to 94.1% and a concentration of 0.19 M formic acid for over 74 hours at a current density of 100 mA cm.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team, led by Jian-Zhi Wang from Tianjin University, designed a novel catalyst using lattice strain-rich bismuth nanoparticles to improve the electrochemical reduction of CO to formic acid.
  • The catalyst was integrated with an anion exchange membrane to enhance the adsorption strength of the intermediate and accelerate interfacial electron transfer.
  • The study achieved a Faradaic efficiency of up to 94.1% and a concentration of 0.19 M formic acid for over 74 hours at a current density of 100 mA cm.
  • The improved performance of the catalyst was attributed to the abundant internal defects in the bismuth nanoparticles, which generated compressive strains that optimized the adsorption strength of the intermediate.
  • The research has the potential to contribute to the development of solid-electrolyte MEA electrolyzers for the production of formic acid.

Statistics:

  • 94.1% Faradaic efficiency for formic acid production
  • 0.19 M concentration of formic acid achieved for over 74 hours
  • Current density of 100 mA cm used in the experiment
  • 74 hours operation time for the continuous production of formic acid
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China provided financial support for this research

Sources:

  • Dislocation-Induced Strain in Bismuth Nanoparticles for Improving Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction to Formic Acid. ChemSusChem, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Tianjin University Reports Findings in Nanoparticles (Dislocation-Induced Strain in Bismuth Nanoparticles for Improving Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction to Formic Acid). Nanotechnology Weekly. June 23, 2025; p 3356.
  • Jian-Zhi Wang, Institute of New Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, People's Republic of China.
  • Additional authors include Cheng-Yang Lan, Shan Guan, Lu-Qi Liu, Rui Zhang, Peng-Fei Yin, Jing Yang, Hui Liu, Xi-Wen Du, and Cunku Dong.