Early View e202511865
Communication

Nylon-6 Precursor Electrosynthesis From Low-Concentration NO via Carbon-Enhanced NO Adsorption and Improved Mass Transfer

Xinyu Liu

Xinyu Liu

Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Both authors contributed equally to this work.

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Chuanqi Cheng

Chuanqi Cheng

Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

Both authors contributed equally to this work.

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Jinghui Zhao

Jinghui Zhao

Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

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Prof. Bin Zhang

Prof. Bin Zhang

Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

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Prof. Yongmeng Wu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Yongmeng Wu

Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China

E-mail: [email protected],

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First published: 28 June 2025

Graphical Abstract

Porous carbon-supported ultrasmall Ag nanoparticles are designed to achieve 85.5% FE at a partial current density of 100 mA cm−2 for cyclohexanone oxime with a 3% NO concentration, outperforming pure Ag nanoparticles. Porous carbon can optimize the NO transport path and H2O molecule distribution on the catalyst surface, accelerating the reaction dynamics for cyclohexanone oxime electrosynthesis and suppressing the formation of ammonia and hydrogen byproducts.

Abstract

Cyclohexanone oxime electrosynthesis from low-concentration NO is important but suffers from low Faraday efficiency and current density because of severe competitive hydrogen and ammonia evolution reactions. Here, porous carbon-supported ultrasmall Ag nanoparticles are designed to achieve 85.5% FE at a partial current density of 100 mA cm−2 for cyclohexanone oxime with a 3% NO concentration, outperforming pure Ag nanoparticles. Mechanistic studies reveal that porous carbon can optimize the NO transport path and H2O molecule distribution on the catalyst surface, accelerating the reaction dynamics for cyclohexanone oxime electrosynthesis and suppressing ammonia and hydrogen formation. This work paves the way for accessing low-concentration gaseous reactants for various catalytic reactions.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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