Strongly coupling Cu with MoP for high-efficiency electrochemical nitrate-to-ammonia conversion and zinc-nitrate battery applications.

ABSTRACT: The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NITRR) offers a sustainable route for ammonia synthesis and environmental remediation but faces challenges such as sluggish kinetics and competing hydrogen evolution. This study aims to address these limitations by designing a Cu/molybdenum phosphide (MoP) heterostructure catalyst through one-pot calcination, which integrates Cu nanoparticles with MoP nanograins. Structural and electronic analyses confirm the formation of intimate Cu-MoP interfaces, where charge redistribution polarizes Cu to an electron-deficient state (Cu^δ+) and enriches MoP with electrons. This configuration enhances nitrate adsorption on Cu^δ+, while MoP efficiently supplies protons via accelerated water dissociation. The Cu/MoP catalyst achieves a re

SUBMITTER: Yang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12310678 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature