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 NO_x⁻ 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 g_cat⁻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