Colloidal Synthesis of CuN Nanorods and Construction of CuN-CuO Heteronanostructures via Epitaxial Growth.

The synthesis of transition metal nitrides nanocrystals (TMNs NCs) has posed a significant challenge due to the limited reactivity of nitrogen sources at lower temperatures and the scarcity of available synthesis methods. In this study, we present a novel colloidal synthesis strategy for the fabrication of CuN nanorods (NRs). It is found that the trace oxygen (O) plays an important role in the synthesis process. And a new mechanism for the formation of CuN is proposed. Subsequently, by employing secondary lateral epitaxial growth, the CuN-CuO heteronanostructures (HNs) can be prepared. The CuN NRs and CuN-CuO HNs were evaluated as precursor electrocatalysts for the CO reduction reaction (CORR). The CuN-CuO HNs demonstrate remarkable selectivity and stability with ethylene (CH) Faradaic efficiency (FE) up to 55.3%, surpassing that of CuN NRs. This study provides innovative insights into the reaction mechanism of colloidal synthesis of TMNs NCs and presents alternative options for designing cost-effective electrocatalysts to achieve carbon neutrality.