Green electrosynthesis of CuN3 energetic materials coupled with energy-saving hydrogen production reaction

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is central to efficient hydrogen production. Replacing OER with thermodynamically more favorable anodic oxidation reaction can effectively improve the energy conversion efficiency in overall water splitting (OWS). Here, a new coupling system of green electro-oxidation synthesis of CuN3 primary explosive energetic materials and energy-saving hydrogen production is introduced. The cathodic catalyst is prepared by a two-step hydrothermal reaction to load ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs) on the surface of three-dimensional (3D) molybdenum sulfide nanosheets (MoS2-NSs), and shows superior alkaline hydrogen production (HER) activity. Theoretical calculations reveal that the introduction of Ru NPs would induce local electron redistribution of in-plane MoS2 and optimize the adsorption capacity of the intermediates. The electro-oxidation synthesis of CuN3 energetic materials coupled with cathodic HER significantly reduce the cell voltage to only 1.07 V with current density of 10 mA cm−2, allowing low-energy-consumption hydrogen production. Meanwhile, the green electrosynthesis of CuN3 avoids generation of high-risk HN3 gas, high temperature, and long reaction time in the traditional method. This study demonstrates a new strategy of green electrosynthesis of primary explosive and energy-saving hydrogen production.