Covalent Organic Frameworks on Cu₂O Nanocubes as Rapid Proton/Electron Transfer Gates for Efficient NH₃ Electrosynthesis from Nitrate in Neutral Media.

ABSTRACT: Nitrate electroreduction to ammonia offers a dual opportunity: decarbonizing NH₃ production by replacing the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process and remediating nitrate-contaminated wastewater. While copper-based catalysts show promise for this transformation, their practical implementation is hindered by sluggish kinetics and competing hydrogen evolution pathways. Here, we report the integration of covalent organic framework (COF) layers onto a Cu₂O surface, which enables rapid proton/electron transfer and substrate activation for efficient NH₃ electrosynthesis from NO₃^- in neutral media. By growing pyridine- or imidazole-decorated COF shells with varying thickness on Cu₂O nanocubes, we achieve precise control over the mic

SUBMITTER: Tahir W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12814341 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature