Boron-Modulated Electronic-Configuration Tuning of Cobalt for Enhanced Nitric Oxide Fixation to Ammonia

Electrocatalytic nitric oxide reduction (eNORR) to ammonia(NH3) provides an environmental route to alleviate NO pollutionand yield great-value chemicals. The evolution of eNORR has been primarilyhindered, however, by the poor reaction kinetics and low solubilityof the NO in aqueous electrolytes. Herein, we have rationally designeda cobalt-based composite with a heterostructure as a highly efficienteNORR catalyst. In addition, by integrating boron to modulate theelectronic structure, the catalyst CoB/Co@C delivered a significantNH(3) yield of 315.4 & mu;mol h(-1) cm(-2) for eNORR and an outstanding power density of 3.68mW cm(-2) in a Zn-NO battery. The excellent electrochemicalperformance of CoB/Co@C is attributed to the enrichment of NO by cobaltand boron dual-site adsorption and fast charge-transfer kinetics.It is demonstrated that the boron is pivotal in the enhancement ofNO, the suppression of hydrogen evolution, and Co oxidation to boosteNORR performance.

Automated summary

In this study, a cobalt-based composite with a heterostructure was designed as a highly efficient electrocatalytic nitric oxide reduction (eNORR) catalyst. By integrating boron to modulate the electronic structure, the catalyst showed a significant NH3 yield and outstanding power density in a Zn-NO battery. The excellent electrochemical performance of the catalyst was attributed to the enrichment of NO by cobalt and boron dual-site adsorption and fast charge-transfer kinetics.