Enhanced Electrocatalytic Urea Synthesis over Iron-Doped InOOH Nanosheets under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Ambient urea synthesis via C–N coupling from CO 2 and nitrate reduction offers an attractive alternative to the Bosch-Meiser route, but it is hindered by the lack of efficient catalysts. Herein, we report that Fe-doped InOOH nanosheets effectively catalyze the coreduction of CO 2 and nitrate, giving a high Faradaic Efficiency of 26.9%, a yield rate of 980.6 μg h –1 mg cat. –1, and a good durability. Theoretical calculations further elucidate that iron dopants can tailor the reactivity of the In site, facilitating the hydrogenation of the key *CO 2 NH 2 intermediate and suppressing the hydrogen production with a higher energy barrier.