Engineering a dual-site CuO/Cu 2 O/CeO 2 heterostructure: synergistic Cu + /Cu 2+ and CeO 2 modulation for tandem ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate

Key Points

• This research aims to develop a dual-site heterostructure to enhance ammonia synthesis from nitrate through improved reaction kinetics.
• Synthesis of CuO/Cu2O/CeO2 heterostructure materials.
• Evaluation of electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction performance.
• Analysis of reaction kinetics and selectivity under varying conditions.
• The engineered heterostructure exhibited enhanced reaction kinetics for ammonia production.
• Improved selectivity for ammonia synthesis was observed compared to conventional Cu-based catalysts.
• The dual modulation of copper and cerium species contributed significantly to the reaction efficiency.