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3D N-heterocyclic covalent organic frameworks for urea photosynthesis from NH3 and CO2

Author

Listed:
  • Ning Li

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Jiale Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Xiangdong Xie

    (South China Normal University)

  • Kang Wang

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Dongdong Qi

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Jiang Liu

    (South China Normal University)

  • Ya-Qian Lan

    (South China Normal University)

  • Jianzhuang Jiang

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

Abstract

Artificial photosynthesis of urea from NH3 and CO2 seems to remain still essentially unexplored. Herein, three isomorphic three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks with twofold interpenetrated ffc topology are functionalized by benzene, pyrazine, and tetrazine active moieties, respectively. A series of experiment results disclose the gradually enhanced conductivity, light-harvesting capacity, photogenerated carrier separation efficiency, and co-adsorption capacity towards NH3 and CO2 in the order of benzene-, pyrazine-, and tetrazine-containing framework. This in turn endows tetrazine-containing framework with superior photocatalytic activity towards urea production from NH3 and CO2 with the yield of 523 μmol g−1 h−1, 40 and 4 times higher than that for benzene- and pyrazine-containing framework, respectively, indicating the heterocyclic N microenvironment-dependent catalytic performance for these three photocatalysts. This is further confirmed by in-situ spectroscopic characterization and density functional theory calculations. This work lays a way towards sustainable photosynthesis of urea.

Suggested Citation

  • Ning Li & Jiale Zhang & Xiangdong Xie & Kang Wang & Dongdong Qi & Jiang Liu & Ya-Qian Lan & Jianzhuang Jiang, 2025. "3D N-heterocyclic covalent organic frameworks for urea photosynthesis from NH3 and CO2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56307-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56307-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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