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![Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F55858.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
Published on: December 4, 2017
Synergy of Dual-Atomic Sites and Interfacial Dynamics for 83.7% Selective Hydroxylamine Electrosynthesis
1State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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The sustainable synthesis of high-value hydroxylamine (HA) from nitrate waste through the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) offers a transformative pathway for upcycling nitrogenous waste and resource recovery. However, achieving high selectivity remains a formidable challenge as the polar *NH2OH intermediate is prone to strong adsorption on catalytic sites, leading to over-reduction and lowered selectivity. Here, we report an ambidextrous design strategy that synchronizes the atomic configuration of a dual-atomic copper catalyst (DA Cu2NC) with the interfacial microenvironment of the electrical double layer (EDL). We demonstrate that the DA Cu2NC architecture fundamentally alters the reaction pathway, imposing a significant energetic barrier to *NH2OH over-reduction while facilitating its desorption, which is unattainable by its single atom counterpart (SA Cu1NC). By systematically modulating the EDL dynamics through cation-specific hydration, we identify the rigidity and homogeneity of the interface, quantitatively described by dielectric relaxation descriptors, as a decisive noncovalent factor for NH2OH selectivity. Under optimized conditions (H2SO4/HNO3 mixed electrolyte), DA Cu2NC achieves an exceptional Faradaic efficiency of 83.7 ± 1.6% for HA with a yield rate of 7.5 ± 0.11 mg h-1 mgcat-1 at -0.4 V vs RHE. The DA Cu2NC catalyst demonstrates excellent stability and repeatability, highlighting the promise of dual-atomic site catalysts for selective and efficient HA production through NO3RR. These findings establish a robust framework for designing highly selective electrocatalytic systems by mastering the interplay between atomic-scale active sites and mesoscale interfacial dynamics.
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