Breakthrough in Nitrate Reduction: Researchers Develop Efficient Electrocatalytic Process

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Fuzhou University in Fujian, China, have made a significant discovery in the field of nitrate reduction, developing an electrocatalytic process that uses renewable energy to produce green ammonia while offering a sustainable route for wastewater treatment. The study, published in the journal Advanced Materials, highlights the potential of this process to address environmental pollution and health risks associated with traditional ammonia production methods.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a CoNi-LDH@CuO catalyst that achieved a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 97.8% at -0.3 V versus RHE, and a high NH yield rate of 75.2 mg h cm at an industrial-relevant current density 1 A cm.
  • The interfacial synergistic hydrogen spillover and electron transfer were demonstrated to boost electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia.
  • Experimental and theoretical calculation results showed that the interface hydrogen spillover of CoNi-layered double hydroxide (LDH) accelerates the hydrogenation step of NO RR, while the electron transfer to CuO promotes the reduction of adsorbed NO.
  • The study provides insights into the interface design strategy to enhance NO RR performance for waste nitrate treatment and green ammonia synthesis.
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province provided financial support for this research.
  • Additional authors of the study include Muyun Zheng, Zheng-Hong Huang, Feiyu Kang, and Ruitao Lv.

Statistics:

  • 97.8%: The Faradaic efficiency of the CoNi-LDH@CuO catalyst at -0.3 V versus RHE.
  • 75.2 mg h cm: The high NH yield rate achieved by the CoNi-LDH@CuO catalyst at an industrial-relevant current density.
  • 1 A cm: The industrial-relevant current density at which the CoNi-LDH@CuO catalyst achieved high NH yield rate.

Sources:

  • "Interfacial Synergistic Hydrogen Spillover and Electron Transfer for Boosting Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia."
  • Advanced Materials, 2025.
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China.
  • Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province.
  • Fuzhou University.
  • Muyun Zheng, Zheng-Hong Huang, Feiyu Kang, Ruitao Lv, and Yuchi Wan.
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Fuzhou University Target Science (Interfacial Synergistic Hydrogen Spillover and Electron Transfer for Boosting Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia). Chemicals & Chemistry. October 24, 2025; p 3702.