Work

Efficient urea electrosynthesis from CO2 and nitrate on amorphous TiS2

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Electrosynthesis of urea via co-electrolysis of CO 2 and NO 3 − (EUCN) offers a promising avenue for simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and producing valuable urea. In this study, we report that amorphous TiS 2 (a-TiS 2 ) with rich S-vacancies (S v ) serves as an effective and robust EUCN catalyst. In a flow electrolyzer, a-TiS 2 achieves the maximum urea-Faradaic efficiency of 34.5 % and urea yield rate of 30.6mmol h −1 g cat −1 at −0.7 V. RHE, significantly outperforming crystalline TiS 2 and most reported EUCN catalysts. A combination of extensive atomic characterizations, theoretical computations and in situ spectroscopic measurements reveals the synergistic catalysis of Ti site and Ti-S v site to promote *NH 2 /*CO formation and their C N coupling, whilst suppressing the competing hydrogen evolution and NO 3 − -to-NH 3 reactions, thus enabling a highly selective EUCN for urea synthesis.

Source: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.10.095

Authors: Di Yuan, Yafu Jiang, Fuzhou Wang, Dongwei Ma, Ke Chu

Institutions: Anyang Normal University, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Huaibei Normal University

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,020