Selective electrosynthesis of urea via C−N coupling: Current status, challenges and future prospects

Abstract

AbstractSelective electrosynthesis of urea from carbon source (CO2) and nitrogen (N2, NO3−, NO2−) source provides a sustainable strategy for production of essential nitrogen‐based fertilizers. The traditional technology of urea synthesis employs two consecutive processes, synthesis of NH3 from N2+H2 and urea from NH3+CO2, which always involves high energy consumption and environmental concerns. By contrast, urea electrosynthesis avoids the above harsh steps and meanwhile has higher atomic economy. Herein, we present a comprehensive review on the progress and prospect of urea electrosynthesis from abundant carbon and nitrogen sources via coupling of C−N under ambient conditions, and also discuss the mechanism researches, strategies of substrates activation, current challenges and future opportunities of urea electrosynthesis. The urea electrosynthesis via C−N coupling realizes abundant and low‐cost inorganic carbon and nitrogen sources for efficient resource utilization and provides guidance and reference for C−C, C−S or other coupling reactions.