Carbon‐Anchored Molybdenum Oxide Nanoclusters as Efficient Catalysts for the Electrosynthesis of Ammonia and Urea. Issue 19 (4th April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Mengmiao; Wu, Guanzheng; Jiang, Jiadi; Yang, Yidong; Du, Aijun; Dai, Lei; Mao, Xin; Qin, Qing
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 62:Issue 19(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-04-04
• Subjects: C−N Coupling -- Carbon -- Electrosynthesis -- Molybdenum Oxide Nanoclusters -- NH3 Synthesis; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202301957
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The electrochemical NO3 − reduction and its coupling with CO2 can provide novel and clean routes to synthesize NH3 and urea, respectively. However, their practical application is still impeded by the lack of efficient catalysts with desirable Faradaic efficiency (FE) and yield rate. Herein, we report the synthesis of molybdenum oxide nanoclusters anchored on carbon black (MoO x /C) as electrocatalyst. It affords an outstanding FE of 98.14 % and NH3 yield rate of 91.63 mg h −1 mgcat. −1 in NO3 − reduction. Besides, the highest FE of 27.7 % with a maximum urea yield rate of 1431.5 μg h −1 mgcat. −1 toward urea is also achieved. The formation of electron‐rich MoO x nanoclusters with highly unsaturated metal sites in the MoO x /C heterostructure is beneficial for enhanced catalytic performance. Studies on the mechanism reveal that the stabilization of *NO and *CO2 NOOH intermediates are critical for the NH3 and urea synthesis, respectively. Abstract : MoO x nanoclusters supported on carbon black are used as highly efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts for selective synthesis of NH3 and urea via nitrate reduction and its coupling with CO2 . This work opens up new opportunities for the rational design of novel electrocatalysts for the electrocatalytic activation of small molecules for the production of value‐added chemicals.