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Bi the way: Porous Bi dendrite electrodes synthesized by a rapid, facile electrodeposition process show higher CO₂ conversion activity than planar Bi electrodes, owing to a larger surface area and lower charge‐transfer resistance. A photovoltaic‐cell‐coupled IrO₂ anode/porous Bi cathode pair produces O₂ and formate with faradaic efficiencies of approximately 95 % and overall solar‐to‐formate conversion efficiency of approximately 8.5 %.

Abstract

Facile synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts that can selectively convert CO₂ to value‐added chemicals remains a challenge. Herein, the electrochemical synthesis of porous Bi dendrite electrodes and details of their activity toward CO₂ conversion to formate in aqueous solutions of bicarbonate are presented. The as‐synthesized multilayered, porous, dendritic Bi electrodes exhibit a faradaic efficiency (FE) of approximately 100 % for formate production. Added halides and cations significantly influence the steady‐state partial current density for formate production J _FM (Cl⁻>Br⁻≈I⁻; Cs⁺>K⁺>Li⁺). DFT calculations revealed that the reaction pathway involving the species *OCOH occurs predominantly and the presence of both Cs⁺ and Cl⁻ makes the overall reaction more spontaneous. Photovoltaic‐cell‐assisted electrocatalysis produced formate with an FE of approximately 95 % (J _FM≈10 mA cm⁻²) at an overall solar conversion efficiency of approximately 8.5 %. The Bi electrodes maintain their activity for 360 h without a change in the surface states.

In article number https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.2019005411900541, Guanglan Liao and co‐workers report a plasma‐enhanced flexible MoS₂ photodetector via the combination of Ag nanocubes and a Ag film underneath. The plasmon intensity is about four orders of magnitude higher than that of Ag nanospheres and nanorods. The flexible MoS₂ photodetector exhibits excellent performance (7940 A W⁻¹) at a low operating potential and good mechanical endurance during 10,000 bending cycles.