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It is still a challenge to develop electrocatalyst for the efficient adsorption and conversion of organic molecule in aqueous media. Herein, a hetero‐interface structure based on CuO@Ni(OH)2 is rationally designed to enhance the performance of benzyl alcohol oxidation to benzoic acid. A high Faradaic efficiency of 99% and the yield of 3.09 mmol cm−2 h−1 are achieved at 1.70 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, outperforming the previously reported electrocatalysts. Furthermore, a membrane‐free flow electrolyzer was assembled based on CuO@Ni(OH)2 hetero‐interface, exhibiting a much high yielding of benzoic acid (6.73 mmol cm−2 h−1) and hydrogen (0.35 L cm−2 h−1) with excellent stability. Both experimental data and density functional theory calculations verify that the electron is tend to accumulate at the hetero‐interface, thus accelerating the adsorption of reactant and intermediate and reducing the energy barrier of the conversion of benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable energy-powered carbon dioxide (CO2) electroreduction into methane (CH4) under ambient conditions holds great promise for achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating environmental pollution. Despite the significant advancements in this field, the unsatisfactory selectivity and stability remain the major obstacles to its large-scale applications. With this background, we present a comprehensive summary of recent progress and future opportunities of CO2 electroreduction into CH4. Firstly, we delve into the elucidation of the reaction mechanism involved in CO2 electroreduction into CH4. A thorough understanding of the individual steps within this process is paramount for designing electrocatalysts and improving selectivity and efficiency. In particular, the development of advanced electrocatalysts (such as copper-based materials, carbon-based materials and other materials) for CO2 electroreduction into CH4 is elaborated. Meanwhile, a special focus has been placed on the enhanced strategies, including coordination environment manipulation, element doping, surface modification, and morphology engineering, for CO2 electroreduction into CH4. Finally, the future challenges of CO2 electroreduction into CH4 are proposed. The review aims to serves as a guiding framework for systematic exploration and optimization of electrocatalysts, thus fostering the development and advancement of CO2 electroreduction into CH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia is a promising alternative strategy to the traditional Haber-Bosch process but suffers from a low Faradaic efficiency and limited ammonia yield due to the sluggish multi-electron/proton-involved steps. Herein, we report a typical hollow cobalt phosphide nanosphere electrocatalyst assembled on a self-supported carbon nanosheet array synthesized with a confinement strategy that exhibits an extremely high ammonia yield rate of 8.47 mmol h−1 cm−2 through nitrate reduction reaction, which is highly superior to previously reported values to our knowledge. In situ experiments and theoretical investigations reveal that the dynamic equilibrium between the generation of active hydrogen on cobalt phosphide and its timely consumption by nitrogen intermediates leads to a superior ammonia yield with a high Faradaic efficiency. This unique insight based on active hydrogen equilibrium provides new opportunities for large-scale ammonia production through electrochemical techniques and can be further used for carbon dioxide capture. While electrochemical conversion of nitrate to ammonia offers a renewable means to remediate waste compounds, it is challenging to achieve selective catalysis. Here, authors demonstrate a strategy to improve electrocatalytic ammonia production using cobalt phosphide on carbon nanosheet arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive consumption of fossil fuels has led to a rapid surge in atmospheric CO 2 concentration, triggering severe energy crises and environmental concerns. In this context, photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for CO 2 reduction is perceived as a highly appealing resolution, due to its integration of the advantages offered by both photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. Undoubtedly, the photocathode plays a pivotal role within the PEC CO 2 reduction system. Among various catalysts, copper (Cu)-based photocathodes have garnered significant attention owing to their low toxicity, affordability, advantageous band gap and distinctive active sites that enable the conversion of CO 2 into a diversity of reduction products including carbon monoxide (CO), formic acid (HCOOH), methane (CH 4), ethylene (C 2 H 4), ethanol (C 2 H 5 OH) and so on. This review primarily delves into the current developments of Cu-based photocathodes in PEC CO 2 reduction, encompassing aspects like material fabrication processes and modification techniques. Subsequently, an analysis is presented regarding the reaction mechanisms underlying different CO 2 conversion products. Finally, an anticipatory perspective is provided regarding future research in the field of PEC CO 2 reduction. This review enables researchers to promptly capture the latest advancements of Cu-based photocathode for PEC CO 2 reduction, offers valuable insights for future research on the design and synthesis of Cu-based photocathode, and provides a guideline to achieve enhanced improvements in PEC CO 2 conversion. [Display omitted] • A comprehensive review of copper-based photocathodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO 2 reduction. • Synthesis methods and modification strategies of copper-based photocathodes are summarized. • An analysis is presented regarding the reaction mechanisms underlying different PEC CO 2 conversion products. • The challenges and prospects in the field of PEC CO 2 reduction are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) limits the efficiency of overall water splitting, which thereby hinders hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we demonstrate a bifunctional CoNiP nanosheet integrated electrode (CoNiP-NIE) to boost HER and replace OER by 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR) to obtain high-valued 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The as-developed CoNiP-NIE exhibits a constant high Faradaic efficiency more than 82% for HMFOR in a wide potential from 1.40 V to 1.70 V vs. RHE, which stand at the top level among the reported electrocatalysts. Moreover, the low overpotential for HER further indicates its high efficiency in the H 2 generation. Based on the bifunctional activity of CoNiP, an electrochemical hydrogen evolution coupled with biomass oxidation device is constructed, which delivers lower voltage (1.46 V) for anode oxidation and higher evolution rate of H 2 (41.2 L h−1 m−2) than water splitting (1.76 V, 16.1 L h−1 m−2). We report a bifunctional CoNiP nanosheet integrated electrode by facile ion etching and subsequent phosphidation process, which shows promising activity for HMFOR and HER simultaneously. This work thus could provide a successful paradigm for rational design bifunctional electrocatalysts for highly efficient hydrogen production coupled with biomass oxidation. [Display omitted] • The CoNiP-NIE exhibits high FE FDCA in a wide potential from 1.40 to 1.70 V vs. RHE. • An EHCO device based on bifunctional CoNiP-NIE enhances the evolution rate of H 2. • CoNiP displays moderate desorption for FDCA and enhanced electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]