Research Highlights

[Nature Communication] Ampere-level current density ammonia electrochemical synthesis using CuCo nanosheets simulating nitrite reductase bifunctional nature

Publish Date:21.March 2023     Visted: Times       

Ampere-level current density ammonia electrochemical synthesis using CuCo nanosheets simulating nitrite reductase bifunctional nature


Authors: Jia-yi Fang, Qi-Zheng Zheng, Yao-Lin Lou, Kuang-Min Zhao, Sheng-Nan Hu, Guang Li, Ouardia Akdim, Xiao-Yang Huang, and Shi-Gang Sun*

Abstract: The development of electrocatalysts capable of efficient reduction of nitrate (NO3) to ammonia (NH3) is drawing increasing interest for the sake of low carbon emission and environmental protection. Herein, we present a CuCo bimetallic catalyst able to imitate the bifunctional nature of copper-type nitrite reductase, which could easily remove NO2 via the collaboration of two active centers. Indeed, Co acts as an electron/proton donating center, while Cu facilitates NOx adsorption/association. The bio-inspired CuCo nanosheet electrocatalyst delivers a 100 ± 1% Faradaic efficiency at an ampere-level current density of 1035 mA cm−2 at −0.2 V vs. Reversible Hydrogen Electrode. The NH3 production rate reaches a high activity of 4.8 mmol cm−2 h−1 (960 mmol gcat−1 h−1). A mechanistic study, using electrochemical in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and shell-isolated nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy, reveals a strong synergy between Cu and Co, with Co sites promoting the hydrogenation of NO3 to NH3 via adsorbed *H species. The well-modulated coverage of adsorbed *H and *NO3 led simultaneously to high NH3 selectivity and yield.

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-35533-6