Distorting Square-Planar Cu Using Adjacent La Atom Optimizes Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis
• Materials Science

Background:

• Electrocatalytic nitrate to ammonia conversion is key for environmental remediation and ammonia production.
• Copper-based catalysts are effective, with activity influenced by their coordination environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Cu-La-based dual-atom catalyst (Cu-La/DAC) for enhanced electrocatalytic nitrate reduction.
• To investigate the effect of the coordination environment on catalyst performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a Cu-La-based dual-atom catalyst using a Robson-type bimetallic complex precursor.
• Electrocatalytic testing of Cu-La/DAC for nitrate reduction to ammonia.
• Theoretical analysis of electronic structure and reaction mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Cu-La/DAC exhibits significantly enhanced activity for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia.
• Achieved high yield (14.02 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻²) and Faraday efficiency (88.42%).
• Coordination environment modulation reduced the HOMO energy of Cu, facilitating catalysis.

Conclusions:

• The Cu-La/DAC catalyst demonstrates superior performance in nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.
• Coordination environment engineering is crucial for optimizing Cu-based electrocatalysts.
• This work offers a promising pathway for sustainable ammonia synthesis and nitrate remediation.