Interfacial Control in Cu–MXene Hybrids Enables Selective NOx‐to‐NH <sub>3</sub> Electroconversion: A Critical Review

ABSTRACT Electrochemical conversion of nitrogen oxides (NO x , mainly NO and NO 2 ) to ammonia (NH 3 ) transforms a pollutant into a valuable chemical, providing a direct link between emissions control and low‐carbon NH 3 production under mild conditions. However, NO x reduction competes with hydrogen evolution (HER) and can diverge to N 2 /N 2 O, while many catalysts restructure under bias, making results difficult to compare and design rules hard to extract. Cu‐MXene hybrids are emerging as a compelling platform because the 2D interface can be engineered to control adsorption, electron (e − ) transfer, and local proton (H + ) activity through Cu speciation (single sites, clusters, oxides, reconstructed surfaces) and MXene terminations/defects. This critical review summarizes the interfacial control of these catalysts to achieve selective NO x ‐to‐NH 3 electroconversion. The review provides a comprehensive analysis of intermediates and performance, quantifying using device‐relevant metrics (Faradaic efficiency, NH 3 yield/partial current, energy efficiency, durability, and selectivity against N 2 /N 2 O and HER). Special emphasis is placed on reactor design, including flow‐cell and gas‐diffusion electrode (GDE) configurations, which enhance mass transport, stabilize the three‐phase boundary, and enable long‐term operational stability. Finally, the review emphasizes the use of in situ/operando methods to investigate the reaction mechanisms, outlines design rules and scale‐up priorities for practical NO x upcycling into green ammonia.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-06-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.76280
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Interfacial Control in Cu–MXene Hybrids Enables Selective NOx‐to‐NH 3 Electroconversion: A Critical Review

Gechuanqi Pan, Hafiz Muhammad Adeel Sharif, Yasir Abbas, Yue Wang et al.
Advanced Science
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
article

Interfacial Control in Cu–MXene Hybrids Enables Selective NOx‐to‐NH 3 Electroconversion: A Critical Review

Gechuanqi Pan, Hafiz Muhammad Adeel Sharif, Yasir Abbas, Yue Wang, Changping Li, Asif Mahmood
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Electrochemical conversion of nitrogen oxides (NO x , mainly NO and NO 2 ) to ammonia (NH 3 ) transforms a pollutant into a valuable chemical, providing a direct link between emissions control and low‐carbon NH 3 production under mild conditions. However, NO x reduction competes with hydrogen evolution (HER) and can diverge to N 2 /N 2 O, while many catalysts restructure under bias, making results difficult to compare and design rules hard to extract. Cu‐MXene hybrids are emerging as a compelling platform because the 2D interface can be engineered to control adsorption, electron (e − ) transfer, and local proton (H + ) activity through Cu speciation (single sites, clusters, oxides, reconstructed surfaces) and MXene terminations/defects. This critical review summarizes the interfacial control of these catalysts to achieve selective NO x ‐to‐NH 3 electroconversion. The review provides a comprehensive analysis of intermediates and performance, quantifying using device‐relevant metrics (Faradaic efficiency, NH 3 yield/partial current, energy efficiency, durability, and selectivity against N 2 /N 2 O and HER). Special emphasis is placed on reactor design, including flow‐cell and gas‐diffusion electrode (GDE) configurations, which enhance mass transport, stabilize the three‐phase boundary, and enable long‐term operational stability. Finally, the review emphasizes the use of in situ/operando methods to investigate the reaction mechanisms, outlines design rules and scale‐up priorities for practical NO x upcycling into green ammonia.

Advanced Science
University of Technology Sydney (AU), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (SA), Dongguan University of Technology (CN), Victoria University (AU)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
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