Dynamic Reconstruction of Cu Catalyst Under Electrochemical NO Reduction to NH 3

• Published in: ChemSusChem 2024-11, p.e202401978
• Main Authors: Cheon, Seonjeong, Kim, Beomseo, Kim, Hyun-Woo, Kim, DongYeon, Han, Jong-In
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202401978

The electrochemical reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to ammonia (NH ) offers a sustainable way of simultaneously treating the air pollutant and producing a useful chemical. Among catalyst candidates, Cu emerges as a stand-out choice for its superb NH selectivity and production rate. However, a comprehensive study concerning its catalytic behavior in the NO reduction environment is still lacking. Here, we unravel the dynamic rearrangement of Cu catalysts during NO reduction: the emergence of a bundled nanowire structure dependent on the applied potential. This unique structure is closely linked to an enhancement in double-layer capacitance, leading to a progressive increase in current density from 236 mA cm by 20 % over 1 h, while maintaining a Faradaic efficiency of 95 % for NH . Characterizations of Cu oxidation states suggest that the nanostructure results from the dissolution-redeposition of Cu in the aqueous electrolyte, influenced by the interaction with NO or other reactive intermediates. This understanding contributes to the broader exploration of Cu-based catalysts for sustainable and efficient NH synthesis from NO.