Pd Nanoparticle Size-Dependent H Coverage for Cu-Catalyzed Nitrate Electro-Reduction to Ammonia in Neutral Electrolyte.

Electrochemical conversion of nitrate (NO ) to ammonia (NH) is an effective approach to reduce nitrate pollutants in the environment and also a promising low-temperature, low-pressure method for ammonia synthesis. However, adequate H intermediates are highly expected for NO hydrogenation, while suppressing competitive hydrogen evolution. Herein, the effect of H coverage on the NORR for ammonia synthesis by Cu electrocatalysts is investigated.

Accelerating electrosynthesis of ammonia from nitrates using coupled NiO/Cu nanocomposites.

Herein, we report a nanocomposite electrocatalyst with coupled Cu and NiO, showing a high Faraday efficiency of 97% and excellent ammonia production rate (450 mg h cm) for nitrate reduction. UV-vis spectroscopic studies confirmed that the synergy between NiO and Cu could avoid NO enrichment and promote tandem nitrate reduction to ammonia synthesis.