From dyes to pharmaceuticals to emulsifiers - ethylamine (EA) is a versatile component used in many industries. The downside of EA is that its production is terribly complicated and energy intensive. However, it is not a simple task to simplify EA production in a way that can also be scaled up to industrial levels.

Researchers at Tohoku University's WPI-AIMR may have found an answer to this problem. Rare earth Eu atoms were modified on Cu₂O nanoneedles to produce a catalyst (Eu-Cu₂O) that can increase the efficiency of the chemical reaction that produces EA. This means it no longer consumes such a large amount of energy to produce. Remarkably, the reaction achieves an EA Faradaic efficiency of 98.1% and can operate continuously for up to 420 hours. To date, this finding holds the record for the longest reported activity whilst maintaining stability - all under industrial conditions.

This research introduces a unique rare‐earth atom-mediated strategy to achieve industrial-scale electrosynthesis of ethylamine under mild conditions. By precisely tuning the electronic structure of Cu₂O through atomic europium incorporation, the method enables a unique switch in acetonitrile adsorption configuration that overcomes long-standing challenges of selectivity loss and instability at ampere-level currents.

The importance of these findings extends beyond the laboratory, as the developed catalyst supports continuous, energy-efficient production of EA - an essential precursor in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and more - using electricity and water instead of fossil-derived hydrogen. This advancement represents a vital step toward sustainable, electrified chemical manufacturing for a low-carbon future.

The findings were published in Advanced Materials on January 20, 2026.