Electrocatalytic urea synthesis from NO and CO2 on In1Pd single atom alloys

Abstract

Electrocatalytic urea synthesis from CO₂/NO co-electrolysis (EUCN) has emerged as a promising strategy for sustainable urea production, while simultaneously mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and NO pollutants. Herein, we have developed single-atom In₁ alloyed Pd (In₁Pd) as a high-performance EUCN catalyst, delivering a remarkable FE_urea of 45.9% and a urea yield rate of 55.2 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ in a membrane electrode assembly electrolyzer. The combination of in situ spectroscopic measurements and theoretical calculations reveals the synergy of In₁ and Pd, which enables the co-activation of CO₂/NO and their C–N coupling while hampering the competing reactions, leading to greatly enhanced EUCN activity and selectivity.