Emerging Electrocatalysts in Urea Production

Abstract

Urea synthesis from abundant CO2 and N‐feedstocks via renewable electricity has attracted increasing interests, offering a promising alternative to the industrial‐applied Haber‐Meiser process. However, the studies toward electrochemical urea production remain scared and appeal for more dedications. Herein, in this perspective, up‐to‐date overview on the urea electrosynthesis is highlighted and summarized. Firstly, the reaction pathways of urea formation through various feedstocks are comprehensively discussed. Then, we focus on the strategies of materials design to improve C‐N coupling efficiency by identifying the descriptor and understanding the reaction mechanism. Finally, the current challenges and disadvantages in such field are reviewed and some future development directions of electrocatalytic urea synthesis are also prospected. This minireview aims to promote the future investigations of the electrochemical urea synthesis.

Cu–Mo Dual Sites in Cu-Doped MoSe2 for Enhanced Electrosynthesis of Urea

“…Among such methods, the electrocatalytic approach stands out. Over recent decades, the electrochemical synthesis of urea has been accomplished through the coreduction of CO 2 and various nitrogenous substrates (such as N 2 , NO, and NO 3 – ). − Cheng et al demonstrated an impressive feat by reporting the electrocatalytic carbon–nitrogen (C–N) coupling of N 2 and CO 2 under ambient conditions using Pd–TiO 2 electrocatalysts, achieving a urea yield rate of 3.36 mmol h –1 g –1 and a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 8.92% . Despite this progress, the inherent chemical inertness of N 2 often results in less optimal reaction efficiencies. − In contrast, NO 3 – can be activated more readily and is a common pollutant in drinking water.…”