journal article·2025-07

Harnessing Spin‐Lattice Interplay in Metal Nitrides for Efficient Ammonia Electrosynthesis

Xunlu Wang, Jiacheng (Jayden) Wang, Huashuai Hu, Congling Yin, Lo‐Yueh Chang, Ye Zhu, Jiacheng Wang, Minghui Yang

Advanced Materials· Volume 37· Issue 29
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Abstract

Abstract Metal nitrides, renowned for their spin‐lattice‐charge interplay, offer vast potential in catalysis, electronics, and energy conversion. However, spin polarization manipulation in these nitrides remains a challenge for multi‐electron electrocatalytic processes. This study introduces Co3Mo3N with a low‐spin polarization configuration, achieved by incorporating spin‐free lattice Mo with 4d orbitals into high‐spin polarization Co4N. This innovation delivers outstanding nitrate‐to‐ammonia electrosynthesis, ranking among the best to date. Mo inclusion induces competing magnetic exchange interactions, reducing the spin polarization degree and enabling rate‐determining step of NO2* to NO‐OH* conversion via vertex‐sharing NMo6 octahedra. A paired electro‐refinery with a Co3Mo3N cathode achieves 2 000 mA cm−2 at 2.28 V and sustains an industrial‐scale current of 1 000 mA cm−2 for 2,100 h, with an NH3 production rate of ≈70 mg NH3 h−1 cm−2. This work establishes a transformative platform for spin polarization degree‐engineered electrocatalysts, driving breakthroughs in energy conversion technologies.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · MXene and MAX Phase Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Environmental Science and Technology Dalian University of Technology Dalian Liaoning 11602 China

State Key Laboratory of High‐Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure Shanghai Institute of Ceramics Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200050 China

College of Materials Science and Engineering Guilin University of Technology Guilin Guangxi 541004 China

National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre 101 Hsin‐Ann Road Hsinchu 30076 Taiwan

Department of Applied Physics Research Institute for Smart Energy The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom Hong Kong 999077 China

Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Island Green Energy and New Materials Institute of Electrochemistry School of Materials Science and Engineering Taizhou University Taizhou Zhejiang 318000 China

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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