Electrode

Organic chemistry

Endothermic process

Electrophile

Heterojunction

Adsorption

Faraday efficiency

Catalysis

Nucleophile

Physical chemistry

Inorganic chemistry

Chemistry

Materials science

Molecule

Urea

Exothermic reaction

Optoelectronics

Electrochemistry

Photochemistry

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Electrocatalytic C−N bond coupling to convert CO 2 and N 2 molecules into urea under ambient conditions is a promising alternative to harsh industrial processes. However, the adsorption and activation of inert gas molecules and then the driving of the C–N coupling reaction is energetically challenging. Herein, novel Mott–Schottky Bi‐BiVO 4 heterostructures are described that realize a remarkable urea yield rate of 5.91 mmol h −1 g −1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 12.55 % at −0.4 V vs. RHE. Comprehensive analysis confirms the emerging space–charge region in the heterostructure interface not only facilitates the targeted adsorption and activation of CO 2 and N 2 molecules on the generated local nucleophilic and electrophilic regions, but also effectively suppresses CO poisoning and the formation of endothermic *NNH intermediates. This guarantees the desired exothermic coupling of *N=N* intermediates and generated CO to form the urea precursor, *NCON*.

Unveiling Electrochemical Urea Synthesis by Co‐Activation of CO<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub> with Mott–Schottky Heterostructure Catalysts

Unveiling Electrochemical Urea Synthesis by Co‐Activation of CO2 and N2 with Mott–Schottky Heterostructure Catalysts

Unveiling Electrochemical Urea Synthesis by Co‐Activation of CO₂ and N₂ with Mott–Schottky Heterostructure Catalysts