Unlocking Synergistic Electron Redistribution via Dual‐Site Reconstruction in Tandem Nanofibers for Efficient Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia

ABSTRACT The electrocatalytic nitrate (NO 3 − ) reduction reaction (NO 3 RR) to ammonia (NH 3 ) is a sustainable alternative to the energy‐intensive Haber–Bosch process; however, its efficiency is hampered by its complex multi‐step kinetics. Herein, a rational electrospinning‐calcination strategy is employed to fabricate dual‐content tandem CuCoO x nanofibers (NFs) featuring an interconnected network composed of CuCoO x hollow cubes for the NO 3 RR. The resultant tandem CuCoO x NFs achieve a remarkable Faradaic efficiency for NH 3 of 98.7 ± 0.4% at −0.4 V versus RHE and a maximum NH 3 yield rate of 109.7 ± 1.1 mg cm −2 h −1 at −1.0 V versus RHE, outperforming a host of benchmark NO 3 RR electrocatalysts. In situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy reveals dynamic dual‐site reconstruction during NO 3 RR, wherein the initial CuCoO x transforms into a Cu/Co(OH) 2 heterostructure, identified as the true active phase. Combined mechanistic and theoretical studies elucidate that the reconstructed interface induces surface electron redistribution, which optimizes intermediate adsorption and lowers the energy barrier of the rate‐determining step. Furthermore, it facilitates proton supply to Co sites and enables spontaneous hydrogen spillover to adjacent Cu sites, synergistically accelerating the reaction kinetics. The practical potential of this catalyst is further demonstrated in a flow‐cell reactor for NH 3 production and in a high‐performance Zn‐NO 3 − battery.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-05-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.75886
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Unlocking Synergistic Electron Redistribution via Dual‐Site Reconstruction in Tandem Nanofibers for Efficient Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia

Mengxiao Zhong, Yun Zhu, Xiaofeng Lu, Meijiao Xu et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
article

Unlocking Synergistic Electron Redistribution via Dual‐Site Reconstruction in Tandem Nanofibers for Efficient Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia

Mengxiao Zhong, Yun Zhu, Xiaofeng Lu, Meijiao Xu, Jinfeng Li, Lin Huang, Siqi Zhang, Mingming Wang, Mingbin Gao, Li Deng
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT The electrocatalytic nitrate (NO 3 − ) reduction reaction (NO 3 RR) to ammonia (NH 3 ) is a sustainable alternative to the energy‐intensive Haber–Bosch process; however, its efficiency is hampered by its complex multi‐step kinetics. Herein, a rational electrospinning‐calcination strategy is employed to fabricate dual‐content tandem CuCoO x nanofibers (NFs) featuring an interconnected network composed of CuCoO x hollow cubes for the NO 3 RR. The resultant tandem CuCoO x NFs achieve a remarkable Faradaic efficiency for NH 3 of 98.7 ± 0.4% at −0.4 V versus RHE and a maximum NH 3 yield rate of 109.7 ± 1.1 mg cm −2 h −1 at −1.0 V versus RHE, outperforming a host of benchmark NO 3 RR electrocatalysts. In situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy reveals dynamic dual‐site reconstruction during NO 3 RR, wherein the initial CuCoO x transforms into a Cu/Co(OH) 2 heterostructure, identified as the true active phase. Combined mechanistic and theoretical studies elucidate that the reconstructed interface induces surface electron redistribution, which optimizes intermediate adsorption and lowers the energy barrier of the rate‐determining step. Furthermore, it facilitates proton supply to Co sites and enables spontaneous hydrogen spillover to adjacent Cu sites, synergistically accelerating the reaction kinetics. The practical potential of this catalyst is further demonstrated in a flow‐cell reactor for NH 3 production and in a high‐performance Zn‐NO 3 − battery.

Advanced Functional Materials
Xiamen University (CN), Jilin University (CN), Mallinckrodt (Japan) (JP), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (CN), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
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