Robust heterostructured CoP/FeP@IF enables highly effective electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR) to ammonia represents a promising and sustainable alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. However, achieving high selectivity toward NH₃ remains challenging due to sluggish multi-electron/proton transfer steps and competing reactions. In this work, we design and fabricate a novel heterostructured CoP/FeP electrocatalyst supported on Iron foam (CoP/FeP@IF) through a facile electrodeposition and subsequent phosphidation process. The as-developed catalyst demonstrates outstanding NO₃RR performance, achieving a notable NH₃ yield of 67.1 mg h^-1 cm^-2 and a near-unity Faradaic efficiency of 98.4%, surpassing most state-of-the-art electrocatalysts reported to date. In CoP/FeP@IF, the FeP site elevates the conversion of *NO₃ to *NO₂ by optimizing the adsorption energy of NO₃^- and its reduction intermediates, while the CoP site accelerates the generation of active H* via water splitting, thereby suppressing NO₂^- accumulation. The dual active sites in this heterostructure exhibit a synergistic effect, enabling selective nitrate reduction to NH₃ during NO₃RR. Experimental results and DFT calculations further disclose that the heterostructure formed after phosphidation plays a vital role in stabilizing the active phase and optimizing the energy barriers for NO₃RR. The findings of this study elucidate the crucial roles of synergistic effects of dual active sites in NO₃RR, providing rational insights into the construction of heterostructured metal phosphides for highly effective ammonia production.