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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
P-Block Antimony-Copper Single-Atom Alloys for Selective Nitrite Electroreduction to Ammonia
Fuzhou Wang1, Shiyao Shang1, Zeyi Sun1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
This study introduces a novel catalyst, isolated antimony alloyed in copper (Sb1Cu), for efficiently converting nitrite (NO2-) to ammonia (NH3). The Sb1Cu catalyst demonstrates high performance and durability for electrochemical applications.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Nitrite (NO2-) pollution poses environmental risks.
- Ammonia (NH3) is a valuable chemical feedstock.
- Electrocatalytic reduction of NO2- to NH3 (NO2RR) is a promising solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a durable and high-current-density catalyst for NO2RR.
- To investigate the catalytic mechanism of Sb1Cu for NO2RR.
- To optimize NO2RR performance for pollution remediation and NH3 production.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical calculations (e.g., DFT) to understand electronic structure and reaction pathways.
- Operando spectroscopic measurements for in-situ characterization.
- Electrochemical experiments using a flow cell setup.
Main Results:
- Sb1Cu effectively suppresses the hydrogen evolution reaction.
- Sb incorporation optimizes d-band center and intermediate adsorption, enhancing protonation energetics.
- Achieved NH3 yield rate: 2529.4 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻².
- Faradaic efficiency for NH3 (FE NH3): 95.9% at 424.2 mA cm⁻².
- Demonstrated high durability over 100 hours of electrolysis.
Conclusions:
- Isolated Sb alloyed in Cu (Sb1Cu) is a highly effective single-atom alloy catalyst for NO2RR.
- Sb1Cu offers a promising pathway for efficient and sustainable NO2- remediation and NH3 synthesis.
- The catalyst's performance and durability pave the way for practical electrochemical applications.
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