Metal-free boron-doped graphene for selective electroreduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid/formate

Herein we report the electrocatalytic activity of boron-doped graphene for the reduction of CO2. Electrolysis takes place at low overpotentials leading exclusively to formate as the product (vis-à-vis benchmark Bi catalyst). Computational studies reveal mechanistic details of CO2 adsorption and subsequent conversion to formic acid/formate.