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Unveiling heterointerface activation effects with different titanium dioxide crystal phases for electrocatalytic
Junxiao Wang1, Wenxin Dong1, Qinan Song1
1School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|January 29, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new TiO2/Cu2O catalyst that efficiently removes nitrate pollution in neutral water. This breakthrough offers a sustainable solution for water treatment and nitrogen recovery.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Nitrate pollution severely impacts aquatic ecosystems and human health.
- Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NITRR) is a promising treatment but struggles with efficiency in neutral electrolytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the heterointerface activation effects of TiO2/Cu2O catalysts with different crystal phases (rutile and anatase) for NITRR.
- To identify an active crystal phase for enhanced nitrate reduction performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of TiO2/Cu2O heterogeneous catalysts.
- Electrocatalytic performance testing in neutral electrolytes.
- In situ characterization and theoretical calculations to elucidate reaction mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The rutile TiO2 (R-TiO2)/Cu2O catalyst demonstrated high nitrate reduction efficiency, removing 99.8% of nitrate in 180 minutes.
- Achieved significant ammonia yield (0.23 mmol/h-1 cm-2) and high Faraday efficiency (85.7%).
- Heterointerface reconstruction, oxygen vacancy formation, and Cu-O-Ti bonds were identified as key factors enhancing electron transfer and facilitating NITRR.
Conclusions:
- Rutile TiO2 is an active crystal phase for efficient NITRR in neutral electrolytes.
- Heterointerface engineering of TiO2/Cu2O catalysts offers innovative strategies for sustainable nitrate pollution treatment and nitrogen recovery.
