Electron Bridge Enhanced Charge Polarization Enables Efficient and Ultra‐Long Stable Urea Electrosynthesis

ABSTRACT Urea electrosynthesis from carbon dioxide and nitrates powered by green electricity is a zero‐carbon route for urea production. Simultaneously achieving high activity and long‐term stability is a prerequisite for the industrialization of urea electrosynthesis. In this study, we propose an electron bridge strategy based on a Pd 1 and Ni 1 dual single‐atom alloy to boost the electrocatalytic activity and durability for urea electrosynthesis. The single‐atom Ni 1 sites act as electron bridges to promote charge transfer from Cu to Pd 1 sites, leading to charge‐polarized Pd–Cu sites, which upshift the d‐band center and improve oxidation resistance of the catalyst. Consequently, the Pd 1 and Ni 1 dual single‐atom sites simultaneously accelerates both carbon dioxide reduction and nitrates reduction half‐reactions, while facilitating the first C–N coupling step. The Pd 1 and Ni 1 dual single‐atom alloys deliver a urea yield rate of 541.6 mmol g cat −1 h −1 with a urea Faradaic efficiency of 57.3%. Remarkably, this catalyst achieves a record durability of 1700 h at a current density of 40 mA cm −2 . This work provides new insights into the synergistic catalysis of complex multi‐molecule reactions through cooperative multiple active sites.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2026-09-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.2196422
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Electron Bridge Enhanced Charge Polarization Enables Efficient and Ultra‐Long Stable Urea Electrosynthesis

Guoxiu Wang, Wei Ye, Zhongchao Bai, Weiliu Fan et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
article

Electron Bridge Enhanced Charge Polarization Enables Efficient and Ultra‐Long Stable Urea Electrosynthesis

Guoxiu Wang, Wei Ye, Zhongchao Bai, Weiliu Fan, Nana Wang, Wei Wang, Fenglin Xie, Ruijie Zhou, Junrong Zou, Haixia Wang, Peng Gao, Fan Wu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Urea electrosynthesis from carbon dioxide and nitrates powered by green electricity is a zero‐carbon route for urea production. Simultaneously achieving high activity and long‐term stability is a prerequisite for the industrialization of urea electrosynthesis. In this study, we propose an electron bridge strategy based on a Pd 1 and Ni 1 dual single‐atom alloy to boost the electrocatalytic activity and durability for urea electrosynthesis. The single‐atom Ni 1 sites act as electron bridges to promote charge transfer from Cu to Pd 1 sites, leading to charge‐polarized Pd–Cu sites, which upshift the d‐band center and improve oxidation resistance of the catalyst. Consequently, the Pd 1 and Ni 1 dual single‐atom sites simultaneously accelerates both carbon dioxide reduction and nitrates reduction half‐reactions, while facilitating the first C–N coupling step. The Pd 1 and Ni 1 dual single‐atom alloys deliver a urea yield rate of 541.6 mmol g cat −1 h −1 with a urea Faradaic efficiency of 57.3%. Remarkably, this catalyst achieves a record durability of 1700 h at a current density of 40 mA cm −2 . This work provides new insights into the synergistic catalysis of complex multi‐molecule reactions through cooperative multiple active sites.

Angewandte Chemie
University of Technology Sydney (AU), University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (CN), Shandong University (CN), Hangzhou Normal University (CN), University of Jinan (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 31%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
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