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Surface engineering on bulk Cu2O for efficient electrosynthesis of urea

Author

Listed:
  • Zechuan Dai

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yanxu Chen

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Huaikun Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Mingyu Cheng

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Bocheng Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Pingyi Feng

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yafei Feng

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Genqiang Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

Electrochemical urea synthesis has recently emerged as a fascinating energy-efficient alternative route, while it remains challenging to achieve simultaneously high production rate and Faradaic efficiency. Herein, we realize an energy-favorable electrochemical C-N coupling path through CO2 and NO3− co-reduction at the heterointerfaces of Cu/Cu2O microparticles, generated by in-situ electrochemical engineering on bulk Cu2O. We achieve urea production rate of 632.1 μg h−1mgcat.−1 with a corresponding Faradaic efficiency of 42.3% at −0.3 V (versus RHE) under ambient conditions. Operando synchrotron radiation-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, along with theoretical calculations, reveals the coupling of intermediates NOH* and CO* at the heterointerfaces, benefiting from the modified electronic structure. This work provides a practical route for catalyst design and insights into urea electrosynthesis systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Zechuan Dai & Yanxu Chen & Huaikun Zhang & Mingyu Cheng & Bocheng Zhang & Pingyi Feng & Yafei Feng & Genqiang Zhang, 2025. "Surface engineering on bulk Cu2O for efficient electrosynthesis of urea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57708-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57708-7
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