Work

Efficient and sustainable urea synthesis on a bifunctional catalyst

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Electrochemical co-reduction of CO2 and nitrogen sources (N2 or NO3−) provides a promising route for ambient urea synthesis, yet suffers from low conversion efficiency or reliance on fossil fuel-derived NH3/NO3−. Herein, we present an integrated plasma-electrocatalytic route for sustainable urea synthesis from ambient air, which involves the initial plasma-driven air oxidation to form NOx− and followed by electrocatalytic co-reduction of CO2 + NOx− to produce urea. Specially, a bifunctional BiSA/a-MoO3 catalyst (isolated Bi single atom on amorphous MoO3) was designed to promote both plasma and electrocatalytic processes, consequently achieving the exceptional urea yield rate of 55.9 mmol·h−1·g−1 and Faradaic efficiency of 59.7%. The combined theoretical calculations and in situ spectroscopic measurements reveal the synergy of BiSA and unsaturated Mo sites in boosting the C–N coupling of *COOH and *NH2 intermediates for selective urea formation.

Source: Nano Research

DOI: 10.26599/nr.2025.94907910

Authors: Di Yuan, Wenyu Du, Dongwei Ma, Ke Chu

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

Language: English

Topic: Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction

Subfield: Catalysis

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,290