Pulsed electroreduction of low-concentration nitrate to ammonia

Yanmei Huang, Caihong He, Chuanqi Cheng, Shuhe Han, Meng He, Yuting Wang, Nannan Meng, Bin Zhang, Qipeng Lu () and Yifu Yu ()
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Yanmei Huang: Tianjin University
Caihong He: University of Science and Technology Beijing
Chuanqi Cheng: Tianjin University
Shuhe Han: Tianjin University
Meng He: Tianjin University
Yuting Wang: Tianjin University
Nannan Meng: Tianjin University
Bin Zhang: Tianjin University
Qipeng Lu: University of Science and Technology Beijing
Yifu Yu: Tianjin University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO3−) reduction to ammonia (NRA) has emerged as an alternative strategy for effluent treatment and ammonia production. Despite significant advancements that have been achieved in this field, the efficient conversion of low-concentration nitrate to ammonia at low overpotential remains a formidable challenge. This challenge stems from the sluggish reaction kinetics caused by the limited distribution of negatively charged NO3− in the vicinity of the working electrode and the competing side reactions. Here, a pulsed potential approach is introduced to overcome these issues. A good NRA performance (Faradaic efficiency: 97.6%, yield rate: 2.7 mmol−1 h−1 mgRu−1, conversion rate: 96.4%) is achieved for low-concentration (≤10 mM) nitrate reduction, obviously exceeding the potentiostatic test (Faradaic efficiency: 65.8%, yield rate: 1.1 mmol−1 h−1 mgRu−1, conversion rate: 54.1%). The combined results of in situ characterizations and finite element analysis unveil the performance enhancement mechanism that the periodic appearance of anodic potential can significantly optimize the adsorption configuration of the key *NO intermediate and increase the local NO3− concentration. Furthermore, our research implies an effective approach for the rational design and precise manipulation of reaction processes, potentially extending its applicability to a broader range of catalytic applications.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43179-1

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