Urea synthesis via electrocatalytic C–N coupling of CO2 and nitrate on oxygen-vacancy-rich Co3O4–CuO heterostructure nanowires†

Abstract

Herein, oxygen-vacancy-rich Co₃O₄–CuO nanowires on Cu foam (Co₃O₄–CuO/CF) have been prepared for urea electrosynthesis. The Co₃O₄–CuO heterostructure significantly boosts electron transformation and reaction kinetics, and abundant oxygen vacancies substantially facilitate the adsorption and activation of CO₂ and nitrate. As such, the Co₃O₄–CuO/CF demonstrates an impressive faradaic efficiency of 35.89% and urea yield of 1.12 mg cm⁻² h⁻¹, while maintaining exceptional cycle durability.