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Highly selective urea electrooxidation coupled with efficient hydrogen evolution

Author

Listed:
  • Guangming Zhan

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Lufa Hu

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Hao Li

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Jie Dai

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Long Zhao

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Qian Zheng

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Xingyue Zou

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Yanbiao Shi

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Jiaxian Wang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Wei Hou

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Yancai Yao

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Lizhi Zhang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

Electrochemical urea oxidation offers a sustainable avenue for H2 production and wastewater denitrification within the water-energy nexus; however, its wide application is limited by detrimental cyanate or nitrite production instead of innocuous N2. Herein we demonstrate that atomically isolated asymmetric Ni–O–Ti sites on Ti foam anode achieve a N2 selectivity of 99%, surpassing the connected symmetric Ni–O–Ni counterparts in documented Ni-based electrocatalysts with N2 selectivity below 55%, and also deliver a H2 evolution rate of 22.0 mL h–1 when coupled to a Pt counter cathode under 213 mA cm–2 at 1.40 VRHE. These asymmetric sites, featuring oxygenophilic Ti adjacent to Ni, favor interaction with the carbonyl over amino groups in urea, thus preventing premature resonant C⎓N bond breakage before intramolecular N–N coupling towards N2 evolution. A prototype device powered by a commercial Si photovoltaic cell is further developed for solar-powered on-site urine processing and decentralized H2 production.

Suggested Citation

  • Guangming Zhan & Lufa Hu & Hao Li & Jie Dai & Long Zhao & Qian Zheng & Xingyue Zou & Yanbiao Shi & Jiaxian Wang & Wei Hou & Yancai Yao & Lizhi Zhang, 2024. "Highly selective urea electrooxidation coupled with efficient hydrogen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50343-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50343-8
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