Journals

Laser Photochemistry Laboratory

235. Mitigating Intraphase Catalytic-Domain Transfer via CO2 Laser for Enhanced Nitrate-to-Ammonia Electroconversion and Zn-Nitrate Battery Behavior
Author
Yeryeong Lee†, Jayaraman Theerthagiri†, Nuttapon Yodsin†, Ahreum Min, Cheol Joo Moon, Siriporn Jungsuttiwong, Myong Yong Choi*
Journal

Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Vol, Part

online published
Page Number
e202413774 (2024)
Publication Year

13 August 2024
IF
IF(2023): 16.1
JCR
JCR: 94.6%
**Selected as an Inside cover**
**Selected as a HOT Paper**
Acknowledgements
2019R1A6C1010042, 2022R1A2C2010686, 2022R1A4A3033528, RS-2024-00405324

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Abstract: Developing sustainable energy solutions is critical for addressing the dual challenges of energy demand and environmental impact. In this study, a zinc-nitrate (Zn-NO3) battery system was designed for the simultaneous production of ammonia (NH3) via the electrocatalytic NO3 reduction reaction (NO3RR) and electricity generation. An ultrafast continuous wave CO2 laser irradiation yielded precisely controlled CoFe2O4@nitrogen-doped carbon (CoFe2O4@NC) hollow nanocubes from CoFe Prussian blue analogs (CoFe-PBA) as the integral electrocatalyst for NO3RR in 1.0 M KOH, achieving a remarkable NH3 production rate of 10.9 mol h−1 cm−2 at −1.4 V versus Hg/HgO electrode with exceptional stability. In situ and ex situ methods revealed that the CoFe2O4@NC surface transformed into high-valent Fe/CoOOH active species, optimizing the adsorption energy of NO3RR (*NO2 and *NO species) intermediates. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations validated the possible NO3RR pathway on CoFe2O4@NC starting with NO3 conversion to *NO2 intermediates, followed by reduction to *NO. Subsequent protonation forms the *NH and *NHspecies, leading to NH3 formation via final protonation. The Zn-NO3 battery utilizing the CoFe2O4@NC cathode exhibits dual functionality by generating electricity with a stable open-circuit voltage of 1.38 V versus Zn/Zn2+ and producing NH3. This study inspires the simple design of low-cost catalysts for NO3RR-to-NH3 conversion and positions Zn-NO3 battery as a promising technology for industrial applications.