Booming electrocatalysts for urea synthesis via nitrogen-integrated carbon dioxide reduction reaction

Zhishan Liang; Carmen Lee; Jiawei Liu; Yue Hu; Dongxue Han; Li Niu; Qingyu Yan

doi:10.1016/j.mtcata.2023.100011

Booming electrocatalysts for urea synthesis via nitrogen-integrated carbon dioxide reduction reaction

Zhishan Liang
, Carmen Lee
, Jiawei Liu
, Yue Hu
, Dongxue Han^*
, Li Niu
, Qingyu Yan^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

1 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

The traditional method of urea production is a carbon-emitting, energy-intensive technology that contradicts the concept of carbon neutrality. Fortunately, the use of renewable energy in electrochemical synthesis has shown great potential for producing high-value nitrogen products, making electrocatalytic urea production a promising and sustainable approach. However, the low yield and Faraday efficiency, as well as the unclear mechanism of C-N bond formation, limit its large-scale industrial development. Researchers are seeking higher-performance electrocatalysts. This article discusses in detail the latest progress in the electrochemical synthesis of urea using carbon dioxide and various nitrogen sources, including catalyst design and preparation, as well as the mechanism of C-N coupling reactions. It also provides comprehensive analysis on the challenges and prospects facing urea electro-synthesis. The development of targeted and efficient new catalysts for urea synthesis is anticipated to bring about more sustainable and cost-effective production methods. © 2023 The Authors.

Original language	English
Article number	100011
Number of pages	14
Journal	Materials Today Catalysis
Volume	2
Online published	26 Jul 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcata.2023.100011
Publication status	Published - Sept 2023
Externally published	Yes

Funding

The authors acknowledge funding support from Singapore MOE AcRF Tier 1 grant no. 2020-T1-001-031 and RT6/22, National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFD2100304), National Natural Science Foundation of China (22172040, 21974031), University-Industry Collaborative Education Program of Ministry of Education of China (220605940231526), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2023B1515040004), the Department of Science and Techniques of Guangdong Province (2021A1515010180, 2019B010933001), the Department of Guangdong Provincial Public Security (GZQC20-PZ11-FD084), Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou (202201000002), Department of Science & Technology of Guangdong Province (ID:2022A156), Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (202102010449), Tertiary Education Scientific research project of Guangzhou Municipal Education Bureau (202235344), and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M720867).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 13 Climate Action

Research Keywords

C-N bonds
Electrocatalysts
Urea synthesis

Publisher's Copyright Statement

This full text is made available under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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title = "Booming electrocatalysts for urea synthesis via nitrogen-integrated carbon dioxide reduction reaction",

abstract = "The traditional method of urea production is a carbon-emitting, energy-intensive technology that contradicts the concept of carbon neutrality. Fortunately, the use of renewable energy in electrochemical synthesis has shown great potential for producing high-value nitrogen products, making electrocatalytic urea production a promising and sustainable approach. However, the low yield and Faraday efficiency, as well as the unclear mechanism of C-N bond formation, limit its large-scale industrial development. Researchers are seeking higher-performance electrocatalysts. This article discusses in detail the latest progress in the electrochemical synthesis of urea using carbon dioxide and various nitrogen sources, including catalyst design and preparation, as well as the mechanism of C-N coupling reactions. It also provides comprehensive analysis on the challenges and prospects facing urea electro-synthesis. The development of targeted and efficient new catalysts for urea synthesis is anticipated to bring about more sustainable and cost-effective production methods. {\textcopyright} 2023 The Authors.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.mtcata.2023.100011",

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T1 - Booming electrocatalysts for urea synthesis via nitrogen-integrated carbon dioxide reduction reaction

AU - Liang, Zhishan

AU - Lee, Carmen

AU - Liu, Jiawei

AU - Hu, Yue

AU - Han, Dongxue

AU - Niu, Li

AU - Yan, Qingyu

PY - 2023/9

Y1 - 2023/9

N2 - The traditional method of urea production is a carbon-emitting, energy-intensive technology that contradicts the concept of carbon neutrality. Fortunately, the use of renewable energy in electrochemical synthesis has shown great potential for producing high-value nitrogen products, making electrocatalytic urea production a promising and sustainable approach. However, the low yield and Faraday efficiency, as well as the unclear mechanism of C-N bond formation, limit its large-scale industrial development. Researchers are seeking higher-performance electrocatalysts. This article discusses in detail the latest progress in the electrochemical synthesis of urea using carbon dioxide and various nitrogen sources, including catalyst design and preparation, as well as the mechanism of C-N coupling reactions. It also provides comprehensive analysis on the challenges and prospects facing urea electro-synthesis. The development of targeted and efficient new catalysts for urea synthesis is anticipated to bring about more sustainable and cost-effective production methods. © 2023 The Authors.

AB - The traditional method of urea production is a carbon-emitting, energy-intensive technology that contradicts the concept of carbon neutrality. Fortunately, the use of renewable energy in electrochemical synthesis has shown great potential for producing high-value nitrogen products, making electrocatalytic urea production a promising and sustainable approach. However, the low yield and Faraday efficiency, as well as the unclear mechanism of C-N bond formation, limit its large-scale industrial development. Researchers are seeking higher-performance electrocatalysts. This article discusses in detail the latest progress in the electrochemical synthesis of urea using carbon dioxide and various nitrogen sources, including catalyst design and preparation, as well as the mechanism of C-N coupling reactions. It also provides comprehensive analysis on the challenges and prospects facing urea electro-synthesis. The development of targeted and efficient new catalysts for urea synthesis is anticipated to bring about more sustainable and cost-effective production methods. © 2023 The Authors.

KW - C-N bonds

KW - Electrocatalysts

KW - Urea synthesis

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U2 - 10.1016/j.mtcata.2023.100011

DO - 10.1016/j.mtcata.2023.100011

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

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JO - Materials Today Catalysis

JF - Materials Today Catalysis

M1 - 100011

ER -

Booming electrocatalysts for urea synthesis via nitrogen-integrated carbon dioxide reduction reaction

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

Access Output

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