Role of Interfacial Water Structure in the Electroreduction of NO over Cu2O

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Chunpeng Bai
  • Shiying Fan
  • Xinyong Li
  • Jing Wang
  • Jun Duan
  • Jugong Shi
  • Yan Mao

Related Research Unit(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)46384–46391
Journal / PublicationACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume16
Issue number35
Online published23 Aug 2024
Publication statusPublished - 4 Sept 2024

Abstract

The electrochemical nitric oxide reduction reaction (NORR), which utilizes water as the sole hydrogen source, has the potential to facilitate ammonia production while concurrently mitigating pollutants. However, limited research has been dedicated to characterizing the structure of interfacial water due to the challenges associated with probing this intricate system, impeding the development of more efficient catalysts for the NORR process. Herein, the Cu2O microcrystals with distinct exposed facets, including {100}, {110}, and {111}, are employed for the model catalysts to investigate interfacial water structure and intermediate species in the NORR process. The results from shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) indicated that the NORR performance in 0.1 M Na2SO4 (with heavy water as the solvent) was positively correlated to the proportion of hydrated Na+ ion water. In addition, a sequence of intermediates from the NORR, including *NOH, *NH, *NH2, and *NH3, was detected by employing a combination of multiple in situ characterization methods. Furthermore, in conjunction with experimental results and theoretical calculations, we revealed the potential reaction pathway of NORR. This study offers novel insights into the NORR mechanism and valuable guidance for the design of high-performance catalysts for ammonia production. © 2024 American Chemical Society.

Research Area(s)

  • Cu2O, interfacial water, intermediates, NO reduction reaction, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Citation Format(s)

Role of Interfacial Water Structure in the Electroreduction of NO over Cu2O. / Bai, Chunpeng; Fan, Shiying; Li, Xinyong et al.
In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 16, No. 35, 04.09.2024, p. 46384–46391.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review