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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Nonmetallic Si Doping Constructs Cu2O/Co-O-Si Tandem Sites for Neutral Nitrate Reduction Electrocatalysis Toward
Kunxuan Zhao1, Yaxin Sun1, Xiaodong Yang2
1Key Laboratory of Silicon Chemical New Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
Abstract:
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) in neutral media is impeded by sluggish water dissociation and the lack of spatial coordination between distinct active phases. Here, we report a nonmetallic Si doping strategy to construct a Si-CoCu@CF catalyst featuring a "Co-O-Si" interfacial bridge. This unique bonding motif not only regulates the in situ evolution of Cu2O but also establishes robust electronic communication between β‑Co(OH)2 and Cu2O, enabling a precisely engineered tandem catalytic cascade. The catalyst achieves a remarkable NH3 yield rate of 26.6 mg h-1 cm-2 and a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 97.9% at -1.0 V vs. RHE, maintaining stability for 25 h in a neutral electrolyte of 100 mM NO3 - + 0.5 M Na2SO4. Mechanistic studies reveal a clear functional division: Cu2O governs the swift deoxygenation of NO3 - to NO2 -, while the "Co-O-Si" interface accelerates the Volmer step to enrich the surface with *H, promoting the subsequent hydrogenation of NO2 - to NH3 predominantly through a hydroxylamine pathway. The system further enables struvite recovery, energy-saving methanol-coupled electrolysis, and stable Zn-NO3 - battery operation. This work highlights the potential of nonmetallic elemental bridges in tandem electrocatalysis for integrated nitrate remediation and sustainable ammonia synthesis.
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