Interfacial electronic coupling in Cu@Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires enables efficient nitrite-to-ammonia...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing efficient electrocatalysts for nitrogen compound conversion is crucial.
• Nanostructured materials offer unique properties for catalytic applications.
• Electrochemical reduction of nitrite (NO2-) to ammonia (NH3) is an important chemical transformation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the electrochemical performance of Cu@Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires for nitrite reduction.
• To explore the potential of these nanostructures in simultaneous ammonia synthesis and energy production.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Cu@Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires.
• Electrochemical characterization of the catalytic activity for NO2- reduction.
• Fabrication and testing of a Zn-NO2- battery system.

Main Results:

• The Cu@Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires exhibited strong interfacial electronic coupling.
• Achieved a high NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 95.85% and a yield rate of 27.95 mg h-1 cm-2 for NO2- reduction.
• Demonstrated simultaneous NH3 production and energy output in a Zn-NO2- battery.

Conclusions:

• Interfacial electronic coupling in Cu@Ni/NiO core-shell nanowires is key to efficient NH3 synthesis from NO2-.
• The developed system shows promise for integrated electrochemical energy and chemical production.