Rethinking nitrate reduction: redirecting electrochemical efforts from ammonia to nitrogen for realistic environmental impacts

Huang, Hao; Peramaiah, Karthik; Huang, Kuo-Wei

doi:10.1039/d4ee00222a

Cited by 16 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 45 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Nitrate (NO 3 − ) pollution has been considered an urgent environmental issue that requires prompt action. 108,109 Recently, electrochemical reduction emerged as an effective technique for the treatment of NO 3 − due to its environmentally sustainable characteristics. 110 An electrochemical catalyst plays an integral role in the NO 3 − reduction process and has a significant impact on the final products depending on the applied conditions during electrolysis.…”

Section: Applications Of Defect Based Single Metal Atom Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tailoring single-metal atom catalysts: a strategic defect engineering approach for electrochemical reduction reactions

Goyal,

Li,

2024

J. Mater. Chem. A

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Applications Of Defect Based Single Metal Atom Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tailoring single-metal atom catalysts: a strategic defect engineering approach for electrochemical reduction reactions

Goyal,

Li,

2024

J. Mater. Chem. A

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Hydration‐effect Boosted Active Hydrogen Facilitates Neutral Ammonia Electrosynthesis from Nitrate Reduction

Zhang,

Cheng,

Duan

et al. 2024

Adv Funct Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (NO3RR) in a neutral medium is a green and effective strategy for treating nitrate pollution meanwhile producing ammonia. However, the insufficient active hydrogen (H*) on the catalyst surface resulting from the sluggish Volmer step (H2O → H+ + OH−), and the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) caused by H* coupling severely restrict the enhancement of NO3RR activity. Herein, a hydration‐effect boosted H*‐rich strategy facilitating neutral ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate reduction is proposed. The introduction of the hydration‐effect‐promoting element aluminum into the copper‐based catalyst forming CuAlO2, which adjusts the electron density distribution in the catalyst system, and the resulting hydration‐effect significantly promotes the H* generation in a neutral medium. Moreover, the rapid charge transfer at the CuO/CuAlO2 interface facilitates the reaction kinetics and the H* diffusion. More importantly, the introduction of Al weakens the overly strong adsorption of intermediates by CuO, thereby accelerating the hydrogenation process and suppressing HER. Thus, under neutral conditions, CuO/CuAlO2 reached a Faradaic efficiency and an ammonia yield as high as 97.81 ± 1.94% and 10.21 ± 0.64 mg h−1 cm−2 at −1.0 V versus RHE toward NO3RR.

show abstract

Recent Progress in Cobalt‐Based Electrocatalysts for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Reaction

Meng,

Tan,

et al. 2024

Adv Funct Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3−RR) provides a sustainable and efficient way to producing ammonia at ambient condition and denitrifying wastewater. However, NO3−RR is still confronted with some barriers at present, because of the sluggish reaction kinetics and competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Particularly, it requires highly robust and selective electrocatalysts, which steers the complex multistep reactions toward NO3−RR process. Among the various electrocatalysts, Co‐based electrocatalysts demonstrate a rapid reaction kinetics, steady catalytic performance, and suppressive impact on HER for NO3−RR, attracting more attention. In this review, it is focused on Cobalt‐based electrocatalysts design for NO3−RR and the corresponding design strategies are summarized. In detail, these can be concisely classified into five categories, including the Co‐based oxides and hydroxides, alloys, metal, and heteroatom‐doped materials, metal organic frameworks and derivatives. Each category is extensively discussed, with its design concepts and ideas clearly conveyed through appropriate illustrations and figures. Finally, the scientific and technological challenges as well as promising constructing strategies for NO3−RR system in the future are discussed. It is expected that this review can provide valuable insights and guidance into rational design of Co‐based electrocatalysts for NO3−RR, ultimately advancing their applications to industrial scenario with high current density, stability, and energy efficiency.

show abstract

Rethinking nitrate reduction: redirecting electrochemical efforts from ammonia to nitrogen for realistic environmental impacts

Abstract: The excessive use of nitrate in agriculture and industry poses a significant threat to human health and ecosystems. To effectively manage the nitrogen cycle (N-cycle) in nature and to deal...

Cited by 16 publications

References 45 publications

Tailoring single-metal atom catalysts: a strategic defect engineering approach for electrochemical reduction reactions

Tailoring single-metal atom catalysts: a strategic defect engineering approach for electrochemical reduction reactions

Hydration‐effect Boosted Active Hydrogen Facilitates Neutral Ammonia Electrosynthesis from Nitrate Reduction

Recent Progress in Cobalt‐Based Electrocatalysts for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Reaction

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About