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Sustainable and High-Rate Electrosynthesis of Nitrogen Fertilizer |
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| Authors: | Dr Qinglan Zhao Dr Xinxin Lu Yinuo Wang Dr Shangqian Zhu Yushen Liu Dr Fei Xiao Prof Dr Shi Xue Dou Dr Wei-Hong Lai Prof Dr Minhua Shao |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China;2. School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052 Australia
These authors contributed equally to this work.;3. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China These authors contributed equally to this work.;4. Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522 Australia |
| Abstract: | The conventional industrial production of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, such as urea and ammonia, relies heavily on energy-intensive processes, accounting for approximately 3 % of global annual CO2 emissions. Herein, we report a sustainable electrocatalytic approach that realizes direct and selective synthesis of urea and ammonia from co-reduction of CO2 and nitrates under ambient conditions. With the assistance of a copper (Cu)-based salphen organic catalyst, outstanding urea (3.64 mg h−1 mgcat−1) and ammonia (9.73 mg h−1 mgcat−1) yield rates are achieved, in addition to a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 57.9±3 % for the former. This work proposes an appealing sustainable route to converting greenhouse gas and waste nitrates by renewable energies into value-added fertilizers. |
| Keywords: | CO2 Reduction Co-Reduction Electrocatalysis Nitrate Reduction Urea |