N‐doped core–shell mesoporous carbon spheres embedded by Ni nanoparticles for CO 2 electroreduction

Abstract Herein, we successfully prepare highly dispersed and uniform small nano‐size nickel nanoparticles embedded on core–shell carbon spheres by confined‐deposition method. The mesoporous silica layer containing surfactant coated on the surface of the polymer sphere provides confined space and effectively controls the growth of nickel nanoparticles during pyrolysis. At the same time, the introduction of nickel species has an impact on structure of the obtained carbon spheres, and it can promote the deposition of carbon to realize the adjustment from hollow to core–shell and then to solid spheres. Owing to the uniform distribution of Ni nanoparticles with small size, mesoporous structure, N‐doping groups, high specified surface areas, and core–shell structure, the obtained catalyst shows exciting ability for the production of CO by reduction of CO 2 with a maximum CO Faradaic efficiency of 98%, indicating its promising prospect in electro‐reduction of CO 2 .