Flexible 2D Cu Metal: Organic Framework@MXene Film Electrode with Excellent Durability for Highly Selective Electrocatalytic NH3 Synthesis

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (ENRA) is an effective strategy to resolve environmental and energy crisis, but there are still great challenges to achieve high activity and stability synergistically for practical application in a fluid environment. The flexible film electrode may solve the abovementioned problem of practical catalytic application owing to the advantages of low cost, light weight, eco-friendliness, simple and scalable fabrication, extensive structural stability, and electrocatalytic reliability. Herein, 2D hybridization copper 1,4-benzenedi-carboxylate (CuBDC) has been grown on electronegative MXene nanosheets (Ti(3)C(2)Tx) seamlessly to prepare a 2D flexible CuBDC@Ti(3)C(2)Tx electrode for ENRA. The flexible electrode simultaneously exhibits high Faradaic efficiency (86.5%) and excellent stability for NH3 synthesis, which are comparable to previously reported nanomaterials toward ENRA. Especially, the flexible electrode maintains outstanding FENH3 toward ENRA after the bending, twisting, folding, and crumpling tests, indicating excellent electroconductibility, high stability, and durability. This work not only provides mild permeation-mediated strategy to fabricate a flexible electrode but also explores the practical applications of the electrode with effectively environmental adaptability in solving global environmental contamination and energy crisis by effective ENRA.

Automated summary

In this study, a 2D flexible electrode for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (ENRA) was successfully prepared. The electrode exhibited high Faradaic efficiency and excellent stability, offering a solution to environmental and energy crises.