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

Abstract The development of electrocatalysts capable of efficient reduction of nitrate (NO 3 − ) to ammonia (NH 3 ) 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 NO 2 − 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 NH 3…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 22002131
• SN
  Seoul National University
• CP
  China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

  Award: 2020M671963
• YS
  Young Scientists Fund

  Award: 22002131
• BS
  Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility