{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["16(41)"],"submitter":["Mu M"],"pubmed_abstract":["Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO<sub>3</sub>RR) to ammonia presents a sustainable route for pollutant remediation and green synthesis, yet challenges persist in achieving high efficiency and selectivity. Herein, we report a cobalt-doped copper aerogel (Cu<sub>95</sub>Co<sub>5</sub>) synthesized <i>via</i> one-step co-reduction, demonstrating exceptional NO<sub>3</sub>RR performance with 94.91% faradaic efficiency at -0.6 V and 31.15 mg per mg<sub>cat</sub> per cm<sup>2</sup> per h NH<sub>3</sub> yield at -0.7 V <i>vs.</i> RHE. The system achieves an impressive energy efficiency of 31.03% and enables a record-low ammonia production cost of $0.53 per kg. Multiscale characterization reveals that Co doping induces lattice contraction, optimizes d-band positioning, and enhances interfacial K<sup>+</sup>·H<sub>2</sub>O interactions, collectively promoting water dissociation and *H generation. The combination of <i>operando</i> spectroscopies (SERS, ATR-FTIR, DEMS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidates a stepwise hydrogenation pathway: *NO<sub>3</sub> → *NO<sub>2</sub> → *NO → *NH<sub>2</sub>OH → *NH<sub>3</sub>, with the rate-determining step (RDS) identified as *NO hydrogenation to *NHO. The hierarchical porosity of the aerogel facilitates mass transport while Cu-Co synergy suppresses hydrogen evolution reactions <i>via</i> electronic modulation. Practical viability is demonstrated through stable 12 hour operation in a Zn-NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup> battery. This work provides insights into Cu-Co catalysis and establishes design principles for high-performance NO<sub>3</sub>RR systems."],"journal":["Chemical science"],"pagination":["19436-19447"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12459286"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"pubmed_title":["Insights into interfacial water and key intermediates on Cu&lt;sub&gt;95&lt;/sub&gt;Co&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt; aerogels for electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion."],"pmcid":["PMC12459286"],"pubmed_authors":["Chen J","Zhao B","Qi R","Xue X","Mu M","Shao X","Yang Y","Shang L","Jiang W","Chen ZJ","Wang Y","Liu D","Song W"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Insights into interfacial water and key intermediates on Cu&lt;sub&gt;95&lt;/sub&gt;Co&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt; aerogels for electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.","description":"Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO<sub>3</sub>RR) to ammonia presents a sustainable route for pollutant remediation and green synthesis, yet challenges persist in achieving high efficiency and selectivity. Herein, we report a cobalt-doped copper aerogel (Cu<sub>95</sub>Co<sub>5</sub>) synthesized <i>via</i> one-step co-reduction, demonstrating exceptional NO<sub>3</sub>RR performance with 94.91% faradaic efficiency at -0.6 V and 31.15 mg per mg<sub>cat</sub> per cm<sup>2</sup> per h NH<sub>3</sub> yield at -0.7 V <i>vs.</i> RHE. The system achieves an impressive energy efficiency of 31.03% and enables a record-low ammonia production cost of $0.53 per kg. Multiscale characterization reveals that Co doping induces lattice contraction, optimizes d-band positioning, and enhances interfacial K<sup>+</sup>·H<sub>2</sub>O interactions, collectively promoting water dissociation and *H generation. The combination of <i>operando</i> spectroscopies (SERS, ATR-FTIR, DEMS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidates a stepwise hydrogenation pathway: *NO<sub>3</sub> → *NO<sub>2</sub> → *NO → *NH<sub>2</sub>OH → *NH<sub>3</sub>, with the rate-determining step (RDS) identified as *NO hydrogenation to *NHO. The hierarchical porosity of the aerogel facilitates mass transport while Cu-Co synergy suppresses hydrogen evolution reactions <i>via</i> electronic modulation. Practical viability is demonstrated through stable 12 hour operation in a Zn-NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup> battery. This work provides insights into Cu-Co catalysis and establishes design principles for high-performance NO<sub>3</sub>RR systems.","dates":{"release":"2025-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2025 Oct","modification":"2026-06-04T16:25:07.749Z","creation":"2026-06-02T03:08:41.815Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC12459286","cross_references":{"pubmed":["41000117"],"doi":["10.1039/d5sc04633e"]}}