Colloidal Synthesis of Cu 3 N Nanorods and Construction of Cu 3 N-Cu 2 O Heteronanostructures via Epitaxial Growth.

The synthesis of transition metal nitrides nanocrystals (TMNs NCs) has posed a significant challenge due to the limited reactivity of nitrogen sources at lower temperatures and the scarcity of available synthesis methods. In this study, we present a novel colloidal synthesis strategy for the fabrication of Cu ₃ N nanorods (NRs). It is found that the trace oxygen (O ₂ ) plays an important role in the synthesis process. And a new mechanism for the formation of Cu ₃ N is proposed. Subsequently, by employing secondary lateral epitaxial growth, the Cu ₃ N-Cu ₂ O heteronanostructures (HNs) can be prepared. The Cu ₃ N NRs and Cu ₃ N-Cu ₂ O HNs were evaluated as precursor electrocatalysts for the CO ₂ reduction reaction (CO ₂ RR). The Cu ₃ N-Cu ₂ O HNs demonstrate remarkable selectivity and stability with ethylene (C ₂ H ₄ ) Faradaic efficiency (FE) up to 55.3%, surpassing that of Cu ₃ N NRs. This study provides innovative insights into the reaction mechanism of colloidal synthesis of TMNs NCs and presents alternative options for designing cost-effective electrocatalysts to achieve carbon neutrality.