Spatially decoupled La ZnO core shell structure tunes N2 activation and suppresses oxygen evolution

Efficient electrocatalytic nitrogen oxidation reaction (eNOR) requires promoting N 2 activation while minimizing the competing oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A compartmentalized La-ZnO core-shell electrocatalyst is constructed to mimic cellular functional segregation. The crystalline ZnO shell acts as a selective interface that enriches N 2 and limits OH − adsorption, thereby reducing the OER current. Beneath the shell, a porous amorphous oxygen-deficient core exposes dynamically accessible undercoordinated Zn–O–La sites. These sites promote stabilization of key intermediates, including ∗N 2 O 2 − , and support stepwise conversion after N 2 adsorption activation and oxidation. This spatial separation lowers the overall energetic demand along the 10-electron NOR pathway in alkaline electrolyte. The electrocatalyst reaches a Faradaic efficiency of 40.4% and a nitrate yield rate of 11.9 μmol mg −1 h −1 .