Colloidal Synthesis of Cu<sub>3</sub>N Nanorods and Construction of Cu<sub>3</sub>N-Cu<sub>2</sub>O Heteronanostructures via Epitaxial Growth.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38984749.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01624.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
The synthesis of transition metal nitrides nanocrystals (TMNs NCs) has posed a significant challenge due to the limited reactivity of nitrogen sources at lower temperatures and the scarcity of available synthesis methods. In this study, we present a novel colloidal synthesis strategy for the fabrication of Cu<sub>3</sub>N nanorods (NRs). It is found that the trace oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) plays an important role in the synthesis process. And a new mechanism for the formation of Cu<sub>3</sub>N is proposed. Subsequently, by employing secondary lateral epitaxial growth, the Cu<sub>3</sub>N-Cu<sub>2</sub>O heteronanostructures (HNs) can be prepared. The Cu<sub>3</sub>N NRs and Cu<sub>3</sub>N-Cu<sub>2</sub>O HNs were evaluated as precursor electrocatalysts for the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR). The Cu<sub>3</sub>N-Cu<sub>2</sub>O HNs demonstrate remarkable selectivity and stability with ethylene (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) Faradaic efficiency (FE) up to 55.3%, surpassing that of Cu<sub>3</sub>N NRs. This study provides innovative insights into the reaction mechanism of colloidal synthesis of TMNs NCs and presents alternative options for designing cost-effective electrocatalysts to achieve carbon neutrality.