Cu-doped activated Co3O4: tandem site efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia

Niu, Shanshan, Qian, Lei-lei, Wang, Yin-yuan, Chu, Guoxiang, Wu, Yingluo, Yang, Ji and Qi, Haifeng 2025. Cu-doped activated Co3O4: tandem site efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia. ChemistrySelect 10 (40) , e04759. 10.1002/slct.202504759

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Abstract

The electroreduction of nitrate (NO3−) into ammonia (NH3) presents a promising avenue for sustainable ammonia synthesis. In this study, we construct electrocatalyst with tandem sites that integrates highly dispersed Cu with Co3O4 by self-sacrifice strategy using MOF as a template, which significantly improves NH3 production. The resulting Cu–Co3O4 catalyst achieves an NH3 yield rate of 7.25 mg h−1 cm−2 and Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 95%. Mechanism research shows that Cu enhances NO3− adsorption, the synergy between Cu and Co3O4 increases the electrochemical active area, reduces charge transfer resistance, and inhibits hydrogen evolution reaction. The confinement effect of Co3O4 effectively ensures the stability of Cu2+ in the electrocatalytic reduction reaction process. This work offers valuable insights into the tandem NO3− reduction pathway in heterostructures, providing a foundation for optimizing catalysts and advancing sustainable NH3 synthesis.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Chemistry
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	2365-6549
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	24 October 2025
Date of Acceptance:	9 October 2025
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2025 14:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181886

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