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Ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate using a stable amorphous/crystalline dual-phase Cu catalyst

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Listed:
  • Yi Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shuo Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yunfan Fu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiaqi Sang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Pengfei Wei

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Rongtan Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Dunfeng Gao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guoxiong Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xinhe Bao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Renewable energy-driven electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction presents a low-carbon and sustainable route for ammonia synthesis under mild conditions. Yet, the practical application of this process is currently hindered by unsatisfactory electrocatalytic activity and long-term stability. Herein we achieve high-rate ammonia electrosynthesis using a stable amorphous/crystalline dual-phase Cu catalyst. The ammonia partial current density and formation rate reach 3.33 ± 0.005 A cm−2 and 15.5 ± 0.02 mmol h−1 cm−2 at a low cell voltage of 2.6 ± 0.01 V, respectively. Remarkably, the dual-phase Cu catalyst can maintain stable ammonia production with a Faradaic efficiency of around 90% at a high current density of 1.5 A cm−2 for up to 300 h. A scale-up demonstration with an electrode size of 100 cm2 achieves an ammonia formation rate as high as 11.9 ± 0.5 g h−1 at a total current of 160 A. The impressive electrocatalytic performance is ascribed to the presence of stable amorphous Cu domains which promote the adsorption and hydrogenation of nitrogen-containing intermediates, thus improving reaction kinetics for ammonia formation. This work underscores the importance of stabilizing metastable amorphous structures for improving electrocatalytic reactivity and long-term stability.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi Wang & Shuo Wang & Yunfan Fu & Jiaqi Sang & Pengfei Wei & Rongtan Li & Dunfeng Gao & Guoxiong Wang & Xinhe Bao, 2025. "Ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate using a stable amorphous/crystalline dual-phase Cu catalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-55889-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-55889-9
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    1. Zhen-Yu Wu & Mohammadreza Karamad & Xue Yong & Qizheng Huang & David A. Cullen & Peng Zhu & Chuan Xia & Qunfeng Xiao & Mohsen Shakouri & Feng-Yang Chen & Jung Yoon (Timothy) Kim & Yang Xia & Kimberly , 2021. "Electrochemical ammonia synthesis via nitrate reduction on Fe single atom catalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
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