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Published on: December 6, 2021
Synergistic composition-structure engineering in PdCu nanoalloys for efficient ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate
Hengyuan Liu1, Xintong Huang2, Jinkai Qiu3
1The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China; School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China.
This study introduces a microfluidic strategy for engineering palladium-copper nanoparticles, significantly boosting ammonia synthesis via electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NitrRR) for sustainable applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NitrRR) offers a sustainable route for ammonia synthesis and wastewater treatment.
- Current challenges include slow reaction kinetics and poor selectivity, hindering practical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microfluidic strategy for synergistic composition-structure engineering of ultrasmall PdCu nanoparticles (NPs).
- To enhance the performance of NitrRR for ammonia synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of ultrasmall (∼24 nm) PdCu NPs using a microfluidic strategy.
- Characterization of NP composition and structure.
- Electrochemical evaluation of NitrRR performance, including ammonia yield and Faradaic efficiency.
Main Results:
- Achieved an ammonia yield of 89.70 mg·h⁻¹·mgcat.⁻¹ at -0.8 V vs RHE.
- Demonstrated synergistic electronic interaction in PdCu NPs, optimizing intermediate adsorption and lowering the energy barrier for the rate-determining step.
- Attained a high Faradaic efficiency of 92.03% through optimized composition and engineered pore-channel network for enhanced mass transport.
Conclusions:
- The engineered PdCu NPs exhibit exceptional NitrRR performance, addressing key challenges in ammonia synthesis.
- The microfluidic strategy provides fundamental design principles for advanced electrocatalysts.
- This work paves the way for sustainable ammonia production and wastewater remediation solutions.
