ZnCu Metal–Organic Framework Electrocatalysts for Efficient Ammonia Decomposition to Hydrogen

Mingguang Ouyang, Geng Chen, Weitao Ning, Xiaoyang Wang (), Xiaojiang Mu and Lei Miao ()
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Mingguang Ouyang: Guangxi Novel Battery Materials Research Center of Engineering Technology, State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-Cycle Safety for Composite Structures, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Geng Chen: Guangxi Novel Battery Materials Research Center of Engineering Technology, State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-Cycle Safety for Composite Structures, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Weitao Ning: Guangxi Novel Battery Materials Research Center of Engineering Technology, State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-Cycle Safety for Composite Structures, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Xiaoyang Wang: Guangxi Novel Battery Materials Research Center of Engineering Technology, State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-Cycle Safety for Composite Structures, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Xiaojiang Mu: Guangxi Novel Battery Materials Research Center of Engineering Technology, State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-Cycle Safety for Composite Structures, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Lei Miao: Guangxi Novel Battery Materials Research Center of Engineering Technology, State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-Cycle Safety for Composite Structures, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-11

Abstract: The electrocatalytic decomposition of ammonia represents a promising route for sustainable hydrogen production, yet current systems rely heavily on noble metal catalysts with prohibitive costs and limited durability. A critical challenge lies in developing non-noble electrocatalysts that simultaneously achieve high active site exposure, optimized electronic configurations, and robust structural stability. Addressing these requirements, this study strategically engineered Cu-doped ZIF-8 architectures via in situ growth on nickel foam (NF) substrates through a facile room-temperature hydrothermal synthesis approach. Systematic optimization of the Cu/Zn molar ratio revealed that Cu 0.7 Zn 0.3 -ZIF/NF achieved optimal performance, exhibiting a distinctive nanoflower-like architecture that substantially increased accessible active sites. The hybrid catalyst demonstrated superior electrocatalytic performance with a current density of 124 mA cm −2 at 1.6 V vs. RHE and a notably low Tafel slope of 30.94 mV dec −1 , outperforming both Zn-ZIF/NF (39.45 mV dec −1 ) and Cu-ZIF/NF (31.39 mV dec −1 ). Combined XPS and EDS analyses unveiled a synergistic electronic structure modulation between Zn and Cu, which facilitated charge transfer and enhanced catalytic efficiency. A gas chromatography product analysis identified H 2 and N 2 as the primary gaseous products, confirming the predominant occurrence of the ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR). This study not only presents a noble metal-free electrocatalyst with exceptional efficiency and durability for ammonia decomposition but also demonstrates the significant potential of MOF-derived materials in sustainable hydrogen production technologies.

Keywords: AOR; ZIF-8; non-noble metal catalyst; copper doping; hydrogen production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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