Phyto-Confined CeO_x with Synergistic Lattice Distortion and Oxygen Vacancies Drives Efficient Urea Electrosynthesis.

ABSTRACT: Electrocatalytic urea synthesis from carbon dioxide and nitrates is hindered by sluggish multi-electron kinetics and unclear C-N coupling mechanism. Herein, lattice-distorted CeO_x nanoparticles are introduced with abundant oxygen vacancies (O_V), confined within a porous carbon framework (d-CeO_x/PC), fabricated via a phyto-hyperaccumulation confinement strategy. Precise structural modulation induces ultrasmall (≈2 nm), uniformly dispersed, contracted Ce─O bonds (≈2.29 Å) and creates a highly active environment for urea electrosynthesis. In situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy identifies key intermediates, confirming C-N coupling pathway. Theoretical calculation reveals contracted bonds strengthen Ce 4f-O 2p orbital hybridization, restricting lattice oxygen (O_L

SUBMITTER: Zhao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12850127 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature