<i>In situ</i> evolution of electrocatalysts for enhanced electrochemical nitrate reduction under realistic conditions.

ABSTRACT: Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia (ENRA) is gaining attention for its potential in water remediation and sustainable ammonia production, offering a greener alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. Current research on ENRA is dedicated to enhancing ammonia selectively and productivity with sophisticated catalysts. However, the performance of ENRA and the change of catalytic activity in more complicated solutions (i.e., nitrate-polluted groundwater) are poorly understood. Here we first explored the influence of Ca²⁺ and bicarbonate on ENRA using commercial cathodes. We found that the catalytic activity of used Ni or Cu foam cathodes significantly outperforms their pristine ones due to the in situ evolution of new catalytic species on used cathodes

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11470436 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature