Synergistic multisite CuPdP nanodendrites for efficient ambient neutral electrosynthesis of ammonia from nitrate

[Display omitted] •CuPdP nanodendrites were synthesized from pre-synthesized Cu nanodendrites by solvothermal reaction with Pd(PPh3)4.•The presence of Pd could improve the inert hydrogen adsorption capacity of Cu.•P dopant could optimize the electronic structure of Cu and inhibit the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction.•Multisites of Cu, Pd and P synergistically promoted selective electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia. Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NO3RR) is considered a promising alternate of the Haber–Bosch process for ammonia (NH3) synthesis, in which optimization of the catalyst composition and morphology is essential. Herein, Pd and P was simultaneously doped into Cu nanodendrites supported on Cu foam (CuPdP NDs/CF) by a one-step solvothermal reaction. The introduction of Pd atoms could improve the inert hydrogen adsorption capacity of Cu, while the presence of P atoms could effectively inhibit the competitive hydrogen evolution process. Additionally, the electron interaction between Cu, Pd and P could optimize the electronic structure of Cu and regulate the adsorption of reaction intermediates, and thus boosting the nitrate-to-ammonia capability. With the synergistic effect of multisites, the CuPdP NDs/CF showed excellent performance for NO3RR with an optimal ammonia Faradaic efficiency reaching 96.7%. This study provides an avenue for metal/nonmetal co-doping to synergistically enhance the performance of nitrate reduction to ammonia.