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Harnessing screw dislocations in shell-lattice metamaterials for efficient, stable electrocatalysts.
Liqiang Wang1, Di Yin2, James Utama Surjadi3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Nature Communications
|August 7, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel 3D printing method using screw dislocations to create advanced metamaterial catalysts for efficient nitrate reduction, yielding high ammonia production and stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Developing efficient catalysts for nitrate reduction is crucial for industrial applications.
- Existing methods face challenges in scalability and catalyst robustness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable manufacturing strategy for high-performance metamaterial catalysts.
- To enhance catalytic activity and stability for nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a screw dislocation-mediated 3D printing strategy for catalyst synthesis.
- Engineered FeCoNi dual-scale shell-lattice metamaterials with high dislocation density.
- Integrated a flow-through electrolyzer with an acid absorption unit.
Main Results:
- Achieved high Faraday efficiency (95.4%) and ammonia yield rate (20.58 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻²).
- Demonstrated long-term catalyst stability exceeding 500 hours.
- Successfully produced ammonium chloride fertilizer products.
Conclusions:
- Screw dislocation-mediated 3D printing offers a scalable route to advanced metamaterial catalysts.
- Enhanced strain effects from dislocations significantly boost catalytic performance.
- This approach advances 3D printing applications in catalysis and sustainable chemistry.
