Size-effect induced controllable Cu0-Cu+ sites for ampere-level nitrate electroreduction coupled with biomass upgrading

Yuxuan Lu, Feng Yue, Tianyang Liu, Yu-Cheng Huang, Feng Fu (), Yu Jing (), Hengquan Yang () and Chunming Yang ()
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Yuxuan Lu: Shanxi University
Feng Yue: Yan’an University
Tianyang Liu: Nanjing Forestry University
Yu-Cheng Huang: National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center
Feng Fu: Yan’an University
Yu Jing: Nanjing Forestry University
Hengquan Yang: Shanxi University
Chunming Yang: Yan’an University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The synergistic Cu0-Cu+ sites is regarded as the active species towards NH3 synthesis from the nitrate electrochemical reduction reaction (NO3-RR) process. However, the mechanistic understanding and the roles of Cu0 and Cu+ remain exclusive. The big obstacle is that it is challenging to effectively regulate the interfacial motifs of Cu0-Cu+ sites. In this paper, we describe the tunable construction of Cu0-Cu+ interfacial structure by modulating the size-effect of Cu2O nanocube electrocatalysts to NO3-RR performance. We elucidate the formation mechanism of Cu0-Cu+ motifs by correlating the macroscopic particle size with the microscopic coordinated structure properties, and identify the synergistic effect of Cu0-Cu+ motifs on NO3-RR. Based on the rational design of Cu0-Cu+ interfacial electrocatalyst, we develop an efficient paired-electrolysis system to simultaneously achieve the efficient production of NH3 and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid at an industrially relevant current densities (2 A cm−2), while maintaining high Faradaic efficiencies, high yield rates, and long-term operational stability in a 100 cm2 electrolyzers, indicating promising practical applications.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57097-x

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