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The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NtRR) at ambient temperatures and pressures offers a promising way to replace the Haber-Bosch process for NH3 synthesis. Here we report a general in situ reduction-alloying method for the controlled growth of Pt–Cu alloy quantum dots on graphdiyne (PtCux/GDY). Experimental results demonstrate the strong interactions between GDY and PtCux quantum dots can effectively induce the formation of mixed valent metal atoms, modulate the electronic structure of catalytic sites, and enhance the conductivity, thereby endowing the catalyst with high selectivity and catalytic activity for NH3 production. This catalyst exhibits remarkable selectivity and activity in ammonia production, achieving a high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 96.5% and NH3 yield rate (YNH3) of 345.3 μmolNH3 cm–2 h–1 at −0.5 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode. These results present an innovative direction for future research on environmentally friendly and highly efficient energy conversion.
Wu et al. (2024) studied this question.