Stable Cuδ+ sites derived from analogous rectifying interface in AgCu biphasic aerogels for efficient urea electrosynthesis at low potential

Urea electrosynthesis through CO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> coupling presents a promising alternative to energy-intensive industrial processes. However, intricate catalytic mechanisms and competitive reactions impede achieving high-efficiency C-N coupling. Herein, we constructed analogous rectifying interfaces in AgCu biphasic aerogels, by leveraging electronegativity difference to derive stable Cu<sup>δ+</sup> active sites, which simultaneously promoted *NOH adsorption and *CO coverage, thereby improving C-N coupling dynamics, confirmed by both operando technique and theoretical calculations. Specifically, notable urea yield (54.8 mmol h<sup>-1</sup> g<sub>cat.</sub><sup>-1</sup>) with Faradaic efficiency (FE, 36.6%) at a low potential (-0.52 V vs. RHE) was achieved using Ag<sub>67</sub>Cu<sub>33</sub> in a flow-cell. As a proof-of-concept demonstration for practicability, Ag<sub>67</sub>Cu<sub>33</sub> exhibited bifunctional electrosynthesis for urea (FE: 56.07%, yield: 104.6 mmol h<sup>-1</sup> g<sub>cat.</sub><sup>-1</sup>) and HCOOH (FE: over 90%) at 40 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> in two-electrode system, with durability over 60 h. This work provides an indicative rationale to construct active sites for C-N coupling, facilitating the development of urea electrosynthesis.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2026-01-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65857-y
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
12.85

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article

Stable Cuδ+ sites derived from analogous rectifying interface in AgCu biphasic aerogels for efficient urea electrosynthesis at low potential

Genqiang Zhang, Bocheng Zhang, S. Wang, Buqi Ke et al.
1 citations
Nature Communications
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
12.85
article

Stable Cuδ+ sites derived from analogous rectifying interface in AgCu biphasic aerogels for efficient urea electrosynthesis at low potential

Genqiang Zhang, Bocheng Zhang, S. Wang, Buqi Ke, Jing Xia, Mingyu Cheng, Yanxu Chen, Zechuan Dai, Pingyi Feng, Fuqiang Huang
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Urea electrosynthesis through CO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> coupling presents a promising alternative to energy-intensive industrial processes. However, intricate catalytic mechanisms and competitive reactions impede achieving high-efficiency C-N coupling. Herein, we constructed analogous rectifying interfaces in AgCu biphasic aerogels, by leveraging electronegativity difference to derive stable Cu<sup>δ+</sup> active sites, which simultaneously promoted *NOH adsorption and *CO coverage, thereby improving C-N coupling dynamics, confirmed by both operando technique and theoretical calculations. Specifically, notable urea yield (54.8 mmol h<sup>-1</sup> g<sub>cat.</sub><sup>-1</sup>) with Faradaic efficiency (FE, 36.6%) at a low potential (-0.52 V vs. RHE) was achieved using Ag<sub>67</sub>Cu<sub>33</sub> in a flow-cell. As a proof-of-concept demonstration for practicability, Ag<sub>67</sub>Cu<sub>33</sub> exhibited bifunctional electrosynthesis for urea (FE: 56.07%, yield: 104.6 mmol h<sup>-1</sup> g<sub>cat.</sub><sup>-1</sup>) and HCOOH (FE: over 90%) at 40 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> in two-electrode system, with durability over 60 h. This work provides an indicative rationale to construct active sites for C-N coupling, facilitating the development of urea electrosynthesis.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 17(1)
University of Science and Technology of China (CN), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN), Hefei National Center for Physical Sciences at Nanoscale (CN), Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, University of Science and Technology of China, National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
12.85
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