@article{Zhang2026, 
author = {Zhuoyan Zhang and Ruihang Zhang and Ruizhi Liang and Jilong Kang and Xing Yang and Ke Chu},
title = {Electrochemical urea synthesis on homonuclear Cu2-C2N diatomic catalysts},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {19},
number = {2},
pages = {94908087},
keywords = {theoretical calculations, glycerol oxidation, diatomic catalysts, urea electrosynthesis, in situ spectroscopic measurements},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2025.94908087},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2025.94908087},
abstract = {Electrochemical urea synthesis from CO2 and NOx− co-electrolysis (EUCN) provides a promising strategy to synthesize urea under ambient conditions. Herein, a homonuclear Cu2-C2N diatomic catalyst with Cu2 dimers on C2N substrate was developed towards the EUCN. Operando spectroscopic analyses and theoretical simulations reveal that Cu2 dimers with an optimal axial rotation angle of 45° render the most efficient C–N coupling and hydrogenation, thereby boosting the overall EUCN energetics for urea synthesis. Notably, by integrating plasma-driven air-to-NOx− conversion, cathodic CO2 + NOx− co-electrolysis coupled with anodic glycerol oxidation, the exceptional urea yield rate of 107.2 mmol·h−1·g−1 and Faradaic efficiency of 76.2% were achieved, representing one of the best EUCN performances thus far. The work provides mechanistic EUCN insights into the diatomic catalysts and establishes a sustainable and efficient pathway for urea synthesis.}
}