Boosting Nitrate Reduction through Ru-CO3 2- Microenvironment Modulated Hydrogen-Bond Networks
Mengxue Yang1, Wenzhe Wang1, Zhiyong Zhao1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, P.R. China.
Researchers enhanced nitrate reduction to ammonia using anion-modulated microenvironments. This strategy accelerates proton transfer, boosting ammonia synthesis from wastewater efficiently and sustainably.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Nitrate (NO3-) rich wastewater poses environmental challenges.
- Electrocatalytic reduction to ammonia (NH3) is a sustainable synthesis strategy.
- Slow proton transfer kinetics hinder electrocatalytic activity and selectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for accelerating proton transfer in nitrate electrocatalytic reduction.
- To enhance ammonia synthesis efficiency and selectivity.
- To investigate anion-modulated microenvironments for interfacial regulation.
Main Methods:
- Constructing anion (CO3^2-)-modulated microenvironments around single-atom ruthenium (Ru) sites.
- Modulating electrolyte composition to create a Ru-CO3^2- microenvironment.
- Utilizing an integrated electrocatalytic system.
Main Results:
- Achieved NH3 production rate of 76.36 mg·h^-1·mg_cat.^-1.
- Exceeded 90% Faradaic efficiency for nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR).
- Facilitated a highly interconnected hydrogen-bond (H-bond) network, promoting proton transfer.
Conclusions:
- Anion-modulated microenvironments effectively accelerate proton transfer kinetics.
- This strategy significantly enhances electrocatalytic performance for NH3 synthesis.
- Offers a cost-effective and practical approach for wastewater valorization.
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