Colloidal Synthesis of Cu3N Nanorods and Construction of Cu3N–Cu2O Heteronanostructures via Epitaxial Growth

• Published in: Nano letters 2024-07, Vol.24 (29), p.8887-8893
• Main Authors: Zheng, Dong, He, Yu-Qing, Ou-Yang, He, Zhang, Jian-Ding, Zhang, Gang, Han, Shi-Kui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01624

The synthesis of transition metal nitrides nanocrystals (TMNs NCs) has posed a significant challenge due to the limited reactivity of nitrogen sources at lower temperatures and the scarcity of available synthesis methods. In this study, we present a novel colloidal synthesis strategy for the fabrication of Cu3N nanorods (NRs). It is found that the trace oxygen (O2) plays an important role in the synthesis process. And a new mechanism for the formation of Cu3N is proposed. Subsequently, by employing secondary lateral epitaxial growth, the Cu3N–Cu2O heteronanostructures (HNs) can be prepared. The Cu3N NRs and Cu3N–Cu2O HNs were evaluated as precursor electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The Cu3N–Cu2O HNs demonstrate remarkable selectivity and stability with ethylene (C2H4) Faradaic efficiency (FE) up to 55.3%, surpassing that of Cu3N NRs. This study provides innovative insights into the reaction mechanism of colloidal synthesis of TMNs NCs and presents alternative options for designing cost-effective electrocatalysts to achieve carbon neutrality.