Journals

Laser Photochemistry Laboratory

Infrared-Driven High-Entropy Perovskites for Efficient Nitrate-to-Ammonia Conversion via B-site Engineering
Author
Seongbo Lee†, Jayaraman Theerthagiri†, Shih-Huang Pan†, Jyh-Chiang Jiang*, Myong Yong Choi*
Journal
submitted (2025)

Abstract

High-entropy perovskite oxides (HEPOs), incorporating five or more principal cations at the A- and/or B-sites of the ABO3 structure, synergistically combine the configurational entropy and compositional tunability of high-entropy oxides with the structural versatility of perovskites, enabling enhanced atomic-level control over cation distribution, defect chemistry, and multifunctional properties. However, the controlled synthesis of structurally stable HEPOs remains challenging. Herein, we introduce a rapid and unprecedented method using continuous-wave CO2 laser irradiation to stabilize high-entropy La(FeCoMnNi)O3via B-site cation engineering with LaFeO3. The CO2 laser, emitting 10.6-μm infrared radiation, is strongly absorbed by a metalcitrate 3D polymeric gel precursor, enabling localized heating and complete HEPO phase formation within 10 min while minimizing thermal diffusion and energy consumption. La(FeCoMnNi)O₃ demonstrates outstanding electrochemical nitrate reduction (eNO3RR) performance for high-value ammonia (NH3) production, attaining an NH3 yield rate of 20.29  mg h−1 cm−2at 0.7 V vs. RHE, with excellent cycling stability. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that B-site engineering induces B–O–B bond angle distortion, octahedral tilting, and d-band modulation within the perovskite lattice, enhancing electrical conductivity and NO3 activation. Practical NH3 production via eNO3RR was validated via Ar stripping‒acid trapping methods, and La(FeCoMnNi)O3 was further employed as a cathode in a Zn–NO3 battery, demonstrating its multifunctionality. This study establishes CO2 laser processing as a promising strategy for the rational design of high-entropy perovskite catalysts through precise cation tuning, which is expected to advance environmental and energy applications.