Nanoconfinement promotes CO2 electroreduction to methanol on a molecular catalyst

Abstract

Confining catalysis within a nanospace can effectively regulate intermediate configurations and product distributions. Here, we demonstrate the inner cavity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a nanoreactor to promote the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to methanol (CH₃OH). Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecules are rationally incorporated into CNTs of varying diameters, exhibiting different CH₃OH selectivities. CoPc confined within the CNTs is more prone to CH₃OH production, whereas CoPc located on the exterior primarily facilitates CO formation. Operando spectroelectrochemical measurements and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the nanoconfined environment effectively accumulates CO as an intermediate, introduces structural deformation in CoPc molecules, enhances *CO adsorption on Co sites, and consequently improves CH₃OH production. This work underscores the significance of local microenvironment in electrocatalysis and presents an approach to enhancing deep-reduction product selectivity in molecular catalysts through nanoconfinement.