Unlocking Durable and Efficient Nitrate-to-Ammonia Electrocatalysis via Interface-Stabilized Trivalent Cobalt
Qian Zheng1, Zehua Liu1, Yuandong Yan1
1Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, No. 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, P.R. China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|December 8, 2025
Summary
This study engineered a cobalt-based catalyst to stabilize active centers for efficient electrochemical nitrate-to-ammonia reduction. The new catalyst demonstrates high durability and ammonia production at high current densities.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Cobalt-based materials show promise for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia.
- High current densities are challenging due to overpotential and stability issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a stable cobalt-based catalyst for efficient and durable electrochemical nitrate-to-ammonia reduction at high current densities.
- To stabilize active Co3+ centers using an interfacial electric field.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a CoOOH/(CoxSn1-x)3O4 assembly.
- Doping with tin (Sn) to induce an interfacial electric field.
- Electrochemical characterization including Faradaic efficiency and long-term stability tests.
Main Results:
- The CoOOH/(CoxSn1-x)3O4 catalyst achieved 96.7% Faradaic efficiency for NH4+ generation at -0.3 V versus RHE (110 mA cm-2).
- Demonstrated exceptional long-term stability for 1000 hours at 100 mA cm-2.
- Stabilized low-spin Co3+ active centers via an interfacial electric field.
Conclusions:
- Creating an interfacial electric field is an effective strategy for stabilizing electrocatalytic active centers under high current densities.
- The engineered catalyst offers a promising solution for efficient ammonia synthesis via nitrate electroreduction.
Keywords:
CoOOH/(CoxSn1‐x)3O4 heterostructureInterfacial electric fieldNitrate‐to‐ammoniaStabilizing electroreduction active centersMore Related Videos
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