Atomically Engineered RuO x ‐Cu Interfaces Enabling Tandem Catalysis for Ampere‐Level Nitrite–Ethanol Co‐Electrolysis

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Authors: Jinxuan Wu, Jinyang Zhang, Huiying Zhou, K Chen, Wentao Wang, Lin Luo, Han Cheng, Pengzuo Chen, Yun Tong, Changzheng Wu
Cited by: 11
References: 51

Abstract

ABSTRACT Designing tandem catalysts with well‐defined interfacial architectures is of great significance for promoting multi‐step electrochemical transformations, yet achieving synergistic regulation of dual active sites at the atomic level remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we develop an atomic‐level engineering strategy to construct RuO x cluster‐modified Cu‐based nanowire array electrodes with abundant interfacial structures, which act as efficient tandem catalysts for sustained nitrite–ethanol paired electrolysis at ampere‐level current densities. In situ spectroscopic analysis combined with theoretical calculations reveals that the atomically RuO x cluster serves as highly active water‐activation sites, generating abundant active hydrogen/oxygen species that subsequently react with adsorbed nitrogen and carbon‐containing intermediates, thereby enabling exceptionally favorable co‐electrolysis kinetics. Impressively, a membrane electrode assembly flow electrolyzer constructed with RuO x @R‐Cu/CF as both electrodes achieves >90% Faradaic efficiencies for NH 3 and acetate over a wide current density window of 0.2–1.0 A cm −2 , along with high yields of 5.86 mmol h −1 cm −2 (NH 3 ) and 8.65 mmol h −1 cm −2 (acetate) at 1.0 A cm −2 , and outstanding operational stability, significantly surpassing previously reported co‐electrolysis systems.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

Publication details

Journal / source
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
65
Issue
33
Pages
e1451856–e1451856
Publication date
7 June 2026
Language
EN