Redirecting Charge Distribution and Spatial Proximity of Co−O−Cu Motif with 4f−2p−3d Orbital Hybridization for High‐Efficiency Urea Electrosynthesis

Electrocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub>/NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup> co-reduction to access urea typically relies on the tailored two-site catalysts, with the complexity of C/N-intermediate generation and C─N coupling that limit urea synthesis efficiency. Here, a 4f (Ce)-2p (O)-3d (Co) orbital hybridization maneuver is demonstrated to customize a spin-polarized Co-site and a relatively electron-rich Cu-site for generating *NH<sub>2</sub> and *CO species to undergo C─N coupling to access urea, respectively, delivering a production rate of 2612.4 µg mg<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> at -0.27 V<sub>RHE</sub>, with an ultrahigh Faradaic efficiency (85.7%). Mechanistic investigations elucidate that the 4f-2p-3d motif enables the high-spin Co<sup>2+</sup> (t<sub>2g</sub> <sup>5</sup>e<sub>g</sub> <sup>2</sup>) translation toward low-spin Co<sup>3+</sup> (t<sub>2g</sub> <sup>6</sup>e<sub>g</sub> <sup>0</sup>), which enhances the electronic interaction between the e<sub>g</sub>-orbital of Co and 𝜎-orbital of *NO, favoring *NH<sub>2</sub> formation. Further, the electron-deficient Co<sup>3+</sup>-site formed can act as a localized electron acceptor to manipulate the electron structure of the adjacent Cu-site, strengthening the hybridization degree between the catalyst's Cu 3d and C 2p of CO<sub>2</sub> to foster *CO generation. Then, interposed Ce narrows the Co─O─Cu distance, which spatially benefits *NH<sub>2</sub> and *CO coupling to form the C─N bond, overall promoting urea synthesis. The synergy of electronic interaction and geometric effect offers a feasible paradigm to precisely customize activity centers for high-efficiency waste feedstock valorization.

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Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2026-02-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202521702
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
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article

Redirecting Charge Distribution and Spatial Proximity of Co−O−Cu Motif with 4f−2p−3d Orbital Hybridization for High‐Efficiency Urea Electrosynthesis

Keping. Wang, Hu Li, Mei Wu, Xihong Lu et al.
Advanced Materials
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
article

Redirecting Charge Distribution and Spatial Proximity of Co−O−Cu Motif with 4f−2p−3d Orbital Hybridization for High‐Efficiency Urea Electrosynthesis

Keping. Wang, Hu Li, Mei Wu, Xihong Lu, Jinyan Liang, Song Yang
article en

Abstract

Electrocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub>/NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup> co-reduction to access urea typically relies on the tailored two-site catalysts, with the complexity of C/N-intermediate generation and C─N coupling that limit urea synthesis efficiency. Here, a 4f (Ce)-2p (O)-3d (Co) orbital hybridization maneuver is demonstrated to customize a spin-polarized Co-site and a relatively electron-rich Cu-site for generating *NH<sub>2</sub> and *CO species to undergo C─N coupling to access urea, respectively, delivering a production rate of 2612.4 µg mg<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> at -0.27 V<sub>RHE</sub>, with an ultrahigh Faradaic efficiency (85.7%). Mechanistic investigations elucidate that the 4f-2p-3d motif enables the high-spin Co<sup>2+</sup> (t<sub>2g</sub> <sup>5</sup>e<sub>g</sub> <sup>2</sup>) translation toward low-spin Co<sup>3+</sup> (t<sub>2g</sub> <sup>6</sup>e<sub>g</sub> <sup>0</sup>), which enhances the electronic interaction between the e<sub>g</sub>-orbital of Co and 𝜎-orbital of *NO, favoring *NH<sub>2</sub> formation. Further, the electron-deficient Co<sup>3+</sup>-site formed can act as a localized electron acceptor to manipulate the electron structure of the adjacent Cu-site, strengthening the hybridization degree between the catalyst's Cu 3d and C 2p of CO<sub>2</sub> to foster *CO generation. Then, interposed Ce narrows the Co─O─Cu distance, which spatially benefits *NH<sub>2</sub> and *CO coupling to form the C─N bond, overall promoting urea synthesis. The synergy of electronic interaction and geometric effect offers a feasible paradigm to precisely customize activity centers for high-efficiency waste feedstock valorization.

Advanced MaterialsVol. 38(16)
Sun Yat-sen University (CN), Guizhou University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 58%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
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