Phosphorus-rich CoP4@N–C nanoarrays for efficient nitrate-to-ammonia electroreduction

Abstract

The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃⁻RR) is a novel green method for ammonia synthesis. However, the lack of sufficient catalysts has hindered the development of the NO₃⁻RR. This research develops a transformation of porous CoP@N–C/CC into porous phosphorus-rich CoP₄@N–C/CC through high-temperature calcination. Due to its unique phosphating-rich structure, CoP₄@N–C/CC exhibits an excellent Faraday efficiency (FE: 92.3%) and NH₃ yield (610.2 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻²). Such a catalyst with more P–P bonds can provide more active sites, effectively enhancing the adsorption and reaction processes of reactant molecules. In addition, the catalyst has good durability and catalytic stability, which provides a possibility for the future application of electrocatalytic ammonia production.