3D-Printed CuNi Self-Supporting Electrocatalyst

Ordered microchannels enhance mass transfer

CuNi catalyst built with ordered microchannel arrays via selective laser melting, coupling nitrate reduction with glycerol oxidation to produce ammonia and formate, with stability over 500 h.

Yonghui, Ren · Lin, Gang · Shangyan, Zhao · Ma, Chaoqun · Fukai, Feng · Shi, Yixuan · Weidong, Ge · Yingxue, Du · Han, Sumei · Li, Hailong · Liu, Sangmo · Lin, Wei · Cao, Wenbin · Wang, Luning · Ge, Yiyao · Zhang, Bowei · Li, Yageng · Lu, Qipeng

Advanced Energy Materials 2026

Specifications

NH₃ yield rate

{'zh': '10.6', 'en': '10.6'} mg h⁻¹ cm⁻²

NH₃ Faradaic efficiency

{'zh': '95.5', 'en': '95.5'} %

Current density

{'zh': '100', 'en': '100'} mA cm⁻²

Stability

{'zh': '500', 'en': '500'} h

Advantages

High mass transfer

The ordered and interconnected porous structure efficiently facilitates mass transfer, and superhydrophilic/superaerophobic surfaces enhance three-phase mass transfer.

Good mechanical properties

The 3D-printed monolithic structure exhibits outstanding mechanical properties, ensuring long-term durability.

Bifunctional coupling for ammonia

Catalyzes both nitrate reduction and glycerol oxidation, achieving NH₃ Faradaic efficiency of 95.5% at 1.6 V.

Applications

• Electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis：Use CuNi electrode for efficient ammonia production at low potential, replacing energy-intensive processes.
• Nitrate reduction catalysts：Efficiently reduce nitrate to ammonia for treating nitrate-containing wastewater.
• Green ammonia production：Achieve ammonia synthesis under mild conditions to reduce carbon emissions.
• Glycerol oxidation：Oxidize glycerol to formate, enhancing the economic viability of the electrolysis system.
• 3D-printed electrodes：Customize ordered microchannel structures via 3D printing to optimize mass transfer.