Enhanced Electrocatalytic Urea Synthesis over Iron-Doped InOOH Nanosheets under Ambient Conditions
Haoxiang Cai, Zhiwei Wang, Ge Meng, Tianran Wei, Yifan Liu, Jun Luo, Qian Liu, Guangzhi Hu, Xijun Liu
Abstract
Ambient urea synthesis via C–N coupling from CO 2 and nitrate reduction offers an attractive alternative to the Bosch-Meiser route, but it is hindered by the lack of efficient catalysts. Herein, we report that Fe-doped InOOH nanosheets effectively catalyze the coreduction of CO 2 and nitrate, giving a high Faradaic Efficiency of 26.9%, a yield rate of 980.6 μg h –1 mg cat. –1, and a good durability. Theoretical calculations further elucidate that iron dopants can tailor the reactivity of the In site, facilitating the hydrogenation of the key *CO 2 NH 2 intermediate and suppressing the hydrogen production with a higher energy barrier.
Topics & Concepts
ChemistryUreaDopingElectrochemistryInorganic chemistryChemical engineeringElectrodeOrganic chemistryPhysical chemistryOptoelectronicsEngineeringPhysicsAmmonia Synthesis and Nitrogen ReductionElectrocatalysts for Energy ConversionAdvanced Photocatalysis Techniques