Co2P as a pre-catalyst: enhancing NO3RR activity by controlled surface activation

Abstract

Co₂P nanorods operate as dynamic precatalysts for neutral nitrate electroreduction via activation-induced surface reconstruction. Surface hydroxylation followed by electroreduction exposes metallic Co sites without disrupting the phosphide framework, reshaping adsorption and hydrogenation of N-O intermediates. Operando ATR-FTIR correlates this surface state with accelerated kinetics and near-quantitative ammonia selectivity. TOC Surface activation of Co₂P nanorods exposes metallic Co sites that redirect nitrate adsorption and hydrogenation pathways, enabling accelerated electroreduction and near-quantitative ammonia selectivity.