Unveiling Electrochemical Urea Synthesis by Co‐Activation of CO2 and N2 with Mott–Schottky Heterostructure Catalysts

2021/02/26 by Menglei Yuan, Junwu Chen, Yiling Bai +7 · 6 citations
Chemical Engineering · Energy · #Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques #Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction #CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

paper · doi:10.1002/anie.202101275

openalex publication_date 2021/02/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Abstract Electrocatalytic C−N bond coupling to convert CO 2 and N 2 molecules into urea under ambient conditions is a promising alternative to harsh industrial processes. However, the adsorption and activation of inert gas molecules and then the driving of the C–N coupling reaction is energetically challenging. Herein, novel Mott–Schottky Bi‐BiVO 4 heterostructures are described that realize a remarkable urea yield rate of 5.91 mmol h −1 g −1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 12.55 % at −0.4 V vs. RHE. Comprehensive analysis confirms the emerging space–charge region in the heterostructure interface not only facilitates the targeted adsorption and activation of CO 2 and N 2 molecules on the generated local nucleophilic and electrophilic regions, but also effectively suppresses CO poisoning and the formation of endothermic *NNH intermediates. This guarantees the desired exothermic coupling of *N=N* intermediates and generated CO to form the urea precursor, *NCON*.

Citations

• Determination of vanadium-oxygen bond distances and bond orders by Raman spectroscopy
• Coupling N2 and CO2 in H2O to synthesize urea under ambient conditions
• Identifying the Origin of Ti3+ Activity toward Enhanced Electrocatalytic N2 Reduction over TiO2 Nanoparticles Modulated by Mixed‐Valent Copper

Cited by

• Urea Electrosynthesis from Nitrate and CO2 on Diatomic Alloys
• A Defect Engineered Electrocatalyst that Promotes High-Efficiency Urea Synthesis under Ambient Conditions
• Carbon Dioxide and Nitrate Electrocatalytic C-N Coupling for Sustainable Production of Urea
• Direct Electrosynthesis of Urea from Carbon Dioxide and Nitric Oxide
• Efficient urea electrosynthesis from carbon dioxide and nitrate via alternating Cu–W bimetallic C–N coupling sites
• Catalyst design strategies for NO x -involved electrocatalytic C–N coupling reactions

Related

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• Electrochemical C–N coupling with perovskite hybrids toward efficient urea synthesis
• A Defect Engineered Electrocatalyst that Promotes High-Efficiency Urea Synthesis under Ambient Conditions
• Direct Electrosynthesis of Urea from Carbon Dioxide and Nitric Oxide
• Recent Advances in Urea Electrocatalysis: Applications, Materials and Mechanisms †