Mixed-valence Cu-based heterostructures for efficient electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia

Jingrui Ye, Yilin Yang, Mengjuan Teng, An Wang, Jiawei Xia, Guangyu He, Haiqun Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The electrocatalytic NO3 reduction reaction (NO3RR) to NH3 provides a promising pathway for ambient NH3 synthesis and environmental pollution treatment. Cu and its oxides are recognized as effective NO3RR electrocatalysts due to their favorable d-orbital energy levels and superior kinetics. In this work, mixed-valence Cu-based catalysts with tunable valence states were constructed via an inorganic salt-induced MOF-derived strategy. Notably, optimized Cu-CuxO/C-0.3 featured a Cu/Cu2O heterostructure and demonstrated the lowest Cu valence state. The resulting Cu/Cu2O heterointerface facilitated electron transfer and increased the density of electrochemically active sites, leading to an enhanced faradaic efficiency of 81.4% and a remarkable yield rate of 13.38 mg h−1 cm−2 (ca. 2.39 mol h−1 gcat.−1) at −0.8 V vs. RHE. This work presents insights for designing multi-phase heterostructured NO3RR catalysts and emphasizes their potential significance in efficient ammonia production.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1673-1679
Number of pages7
JournalDalton Transactions
Volume53
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Inorganic Chemistry

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