Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2025

Silicon Nanowires and Optical Stimulation for Investigations of Intra- and Intercellular Electrical Coupling
Published on: January 28, 2021
Coupling ZnN4 Atomic Sites with Graphitic Nitrogen for Enhanced Ammonium Production via Electrocatalytic Nitrate
Qianghua Li1, Yixuan Ma1, Qingling Zeng1
1Guangdong Research Centre for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Energy Materials Service Safety, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
Abstract:
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) presents a promising alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process for synthesizing ammonium (NH3) under mild conditions. Supported single atoms have emerged as active catalysts for this conversion; however, the efficiency of NH3 production are limited by the modest activity and selectivity of these catalysts. In this study, it is demonstrated that zinc single atoms supported on nitrogen-doped carbon (ZnNCs), derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), possess remarkable catalytic performance for this conversion, achieving an unprecedented selectivity (exceeding 90%) for NH3 formation across a broad potential range (-0.4--0.8 V vs. RHE). Comprehensive analyses reveal that the incorporation of a graphitic nitrogen atom adjacent to the Zn-N4 site precisely modulates the reaction pathway, enabling a unique dual-site adsorption and cascading reaction route for NH3 formation. These findings not only uncover a novel reaction mechanism for the NO3RR but also have the potential to inspire the development of more efficient NO3RR catalysts.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling
¹H NMR: Long-Range Coupling
In alkenes, spin information is communicated via σ–π overlap, as seen in allylic (four-bond) and homoallylic (five-bond) couplings. These coupling interactions are stronger when the σ bond is parallel to the alkene...
Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the...
Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...

