Adaptive Cu Reconstruction in Heterostructure Drives High‐Rate Nitrate‐to‐Ammonia Conversion

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Authors: Chunyu Yuan, Saikat Bolar, Yongzheng Zhang, Akitaka Ito, Tatsuhiko Ohto, Takeshi Fujita
Cited by: 1
References: 51

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dynamic structural and phase evolution commonly occur during electrochemical nitrate (NO 3 − ) reduction, leading to the formation of catalytically favorable active phases, particularly in mixed‐valence metal species. However, large overpotentials and the accumulation of undesired byproducts still severely limit the efficiency of NH 3 synthesis. In this study, starting from a CuO/CoO X (Co 1 Cu 9 O X ) pre‐catalyst, an adaptively reconstructed heterojunction (R‐Co 1 Cu 9 O X ) with mainly Cu/CoO X is rationally engineered, synergistically catalyzing NO 3 − RR involving multiple intermediates. At −0.2 V vs. RHE, optimized R‐Co 1 Cu 9 O X delivers an ammonia yield of 54.68 mg h −1 mg cat −1 with a Faradaic efficiency of 95.40%. Structural analyses reveal that Cu species undergo a self‐adaptive reconstruction equilibrium involving a surface‐localized hydroxylated oxidized Cu species coupled with reduced metallic Cu domains. Such adaptive evolution promotes nitrate adsorption and stabilizes key nitrogen‐containing intermediates. Meanwhile, the dual‐phase heterogeneous interface optimizes interfacial *H supply, ensuring precise regulation of the adsorption and hydrogenation of nitrogen‐containing intermediates. This heterostructure engineering with self‐adaptive reconstruction offers a promising strategy for advanced NO 3 − RR catalysis under dynamic changes in the chemical state of Cu.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction Environmental remediation with nanomaterials Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
55
Pages
e76573–e76573
Publication date
13 July 2026
Language
EN