Affiliation:
1. College of Chemistry and Materials Science Anhui Normal University Wuhu 241002 P. R. China
2. Department of Biomedical Engineering Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Shenzhen 518055 P. R. China
3. Key Laboratory of Advanced Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers Technology of Zhejiang Province Qianwan Institute of CNITECH Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering Chinese Academy of Sciences Ningbo Zhejiang 315201 P. R. China
Abstract
AbstractUrea synthesis from abundant CO2 and N‐feedstocks via renewable electricity has attracted increasing interests, offering a promising alternative to the industrial‐applied Haber‐Meiser process. However, the studies toward electrochemical urea production remain scarce and appeal for more research. Herein, in this perspective, an up‐to‐date overview on the urea electrosynthesis is highlighted and summarized. Firstly, the reaction pathways of urea formation through various feedstocks are comprehensively discussed. Then, we focus on the strategies of materials design to improve C−N coupling efficiency by identifying the descriptor and understanding the reaction mechanism. Finally, the current challenges and disadvantages in this field are reviewed and some future development directions of electrocatalytic urea synthesis are also prospected. This Minireview aims to promote future investigations of the electrochemical urea synthesis.
Subject
General Chemistry,Catalysis,Organic Chemistry