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Chandra Majhi K, Chen H, Batool A, Zhu Q, Jin Y, Liu S, Sit PHL, Chun-Ho Lam J. In-tandem Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia on Ultrathin-Sheet-Assembled Iron-Nickel Alloy Nanoflowers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2025; 64:e202500167. [PMID: 39904929 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202500167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2025] [Revised: 01/28/2025] [Accepted: 02/04/2025] [Indexed: 02/06/2025]
Abstract
The development of alternative routes for ammonia (NH3) synthesis with high Faradaic efficiency (FE) is crucial for energy conservation and to achieve zero carbon emissions. Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO3 -) reduction to NH3 (e-NO3RRA) is a promising alternative to the energy-intensive, fossil-fuel-driven Haber-Bosch process. The implementation of this innovative NH3 synthesis technique requires an efficient electrocatalyst and in-depth mechanistic understanding of e-NO3RRA. In this study, we developed an ultrathin sheet (μm) iron-nickel nanoflower alloy through electrodeposition and used it for e-NO3RRA under alkaline conditions. The prepared Fe-Ni alloy exhibited an FE of 97.28±1.36 % at -238 mVRHE and an NH3 yield rate up to 3999.1±242.59 μg h-1 cm-2. Experimental electrolysis, in situ Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations showed that the adsorption and reduction of NO3 - to NO2 - occurred on the Fe surface, whereas subsequent hydrogenation of NO2 - to NH3 occurred preferentially on the Ni surface. The catalysts exhibited comparable FE for at least 10 cycles, with a long-term stability of 216 h. Electron paramagnetic resonance results confirmed that adsorbed hydrogen was consumed during e-NO3RRA. This work introduces a sustainable, robust, and efficient Fe-Ni alloy electrocatalyst, offering an environmentally friendly approach for synthesizing NH3 from NO3 --contaminated water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartick Chandra Majhi
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Hongjiang Chen
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Asma Batool
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Yangxin Jin
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Shengqin Liu
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Patrick H-L Sit
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Jason Chun-Ho Lam
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518057, China
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Zhang B, Zhao J, Qiu H, Chen M, Ren X, Wang H, Wei Q. Boosting Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia by Fe Doped CuO/Co 3O 4 Nanosheet/Nanowire Heterostructures. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202400738. [PMID: 39258742 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202400738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3 -RR) is a novel green method for ammonia synthesis. The development of outstanding NO3 -RR performance is based on reasonable catalyst. Metal oxides have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and catalytic properties. Doping serves as an effective strategy for enhancing catalyst performance due to its ability to change the electron cloud distribution and energy levels. In this study, we develop a heterojunction catalyst Fe doped copper oxide nanosheet and cobalt tetroxide nanowire growing on carbon cloth simultaneously (Fe-CuO@Co3O4/CC) via hydrothermal method. The well-designed Fe-CuO@Co3O4/CC has excellent NH3 yield (470.9 μmol h-1 cm-2) and Faraday efficiency (FE: 84.4 %) at -1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE). The heterostructure increases the specific surface area of the catalyst, and the possibility of contact between the catalyst and NO3 - ions, enhances the catalytic efficiency. In addition, the catalyst has excellent stability and can stably carry out the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3 -RR), which provides a way for further research on the high-efficiency reduction of nitrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojian Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Jinxiu Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Huancheng Qiu
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Mingliang Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Qin Wei
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
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Zhang H, Wang H, Cao X, Chen M, Liu Y, Zhou Y, Huang M, Xia L, Wang Y, Li T, Zheng D, Luo Y, Sun S, Zhao X, Sun X. Unveiling Cutting-Edge Developments in Electrocatalytic Nitrate-to-Ammonia Conversion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312746. [PMID: 38198832 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The excessive enrichment of nitrate in the environment can be converted into ammonia (NH3) through electrochemical processes, offering significant implications for modern agriculture and the potential to reduce the burden of the Haber-Bosch (HB) process while achieving environmentally friendly NH3 production. Emerging research on electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (eNitRR) to NH3 has gained considerable momentum in recent years for efficient NH3 synthesis. However, existing reviews on nitrate reduction have primarily focused on limited aspects, often lacking a comprehensive summary of catalysts, reaction systems, reaction mechanisms, and detection methods employed in nitrate reduction. This review aims to provide a timely and comprehensive analysis of the eNitRR field by integrating existing research progress and identifying current challenges. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the research progress achieved using various materials in electrochemical nitrate reduction, elucidates the underlying theoretical mechanism behind eNitRR, and discusses effective strategies based on numerous case studies to enhance the electrochemical reduction from NO3 - to NH3. Finally, this review discusses challenges and development prospects in the eNitRR field with an aim to guide design and development of large-scale sustainable nitrate reduction electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316004, China
| | - Haijian Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316004, China
| | - Xiqian Cao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316004, China
| | - Mengshan Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316004, China
| | - Yuelong Liu
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650092, China
| | - Yingtang Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316004, China
| | - Ming Huang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, China
| | - Lu Xia
- ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels, Barcelona, 08860, Spain
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, China
| | - Tingshuai Li
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, China
| | - Dongdong Zheng
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Yongsong Luo
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Shengjun Sun
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650092, China
| | - Xuping Sun
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610054, China
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
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