ACS Applied Energy Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
7(22), P. 10596 - 10604
Published: Nov. 14, 2024
It
is
a
green
and
feasible
approach
to
realize
artificial
nitrogen
cycling
through
the
electrocatalytic
reduction
of
nitrate
(NO3–)
into
ammonia
(NH3).
Nevertheless,
electrochemical
nitrate-to-ammonia
reaction
(NO3–RR)
has
been
greatly
hindered
by
low
Faradaic
efficiency
high
applied
overpotential.
Herein,
few-layer
reduced
graphene
oxide
(rGO)-coated
Cu2O
nanocrystal
composite
(denoted
as
Cu2O@rGO)
successfully
constructed
simple
hydrothermal
methodology
enhance
catalytic
performance
NO3–RR
NH3.
Benefiting
from
synergistic
effects
rapid
electron
migration,
enriched
oxygen
vacancies,
intimate
interface,
obtained
Cu2O@rGO
catalyst
accelerates
adsorption
NO3–
some
key
intermediates
inhibits
hydrogen
evolution
(HER)
during
NO3–RR.
Consequently,
optimized
exhibits
NH3
(FE)
91.8%
at
−0.9
V,
selectivity
up
99%,
yield
rate
0.25
mmol·h–1·mgcat–1,
much
outperforming
most
reported
Cu-based
catalysts.
Moreover,
in
situ
infrared
spectroscopy
(FT-IR)
displays
formation
pathway
process
discloses
mechanism.
This
work
presents
effective
improve
activity
electrocatalysts
for
production.
