Journal of Energy Chemistry ›› 2023, Vol. 86 ›› Issue (11): 69-83.DOI: 10.1016/j.jechem.2023.07.006

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recent progress and challenges in structural construction strategy of metal-based catalysts for nitrate electroreduction to ammonia

Shuai Niu   

  1. College of Ecology, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, Shanxi, China
  • Received:2023-05-23 Revised:2023-07-05 Accepted:2023-07-06 Online:2023-11-15 Published:2023-11-07
  • Contact: E-mail address: niushuai@tyut.edu.cn
  • About author:Shuai Niu received his Ph.D. degree in Prof. Jinsong Hu's group from Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS) in 2021. Then he worked at Taiyuan University of Technology. His research interests focus on the cheap and efficient nanomaterial for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction/evolution, hydrogen evolution, and nitrate electroreduction to ammonia reactions.

Abstract: Ammonia plays an essential role in human production and life as a raw material for chemical fertilizers. The nitrate electroreduction to ammonia reaction (NO3RR) has garnered attention due to its advantages over the Haber-Bosch process and electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction. Therefore, it represents a promising approach to safeguard the ecological environment by enabling the cycling of nitrogen species. This review begins by discussing the theoretical insights of the NO3RR. It then summarizes recent advances in catalyst design and construction strategies, including alloying, structure engineering, surface engineering, and heterostructure engineering. Finally, the challenges and prospects in this field are presented. This review aims to guide for enhancing the efficiency of electrocatalysts in the NO3RR, and offers insights for converting NO3- to NH3.

Key words: Nitrate electroreduction to ammonia reaction (NO3RR), Structural construction strategy, Nitrogen cycle, Metal-based catalysts, Catalytic mechanism