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