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Updated: May 6, 2026

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
Steering Intermediate Coupling by Alkali-Metal Cations for Efficient Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia.
Xiaowen Liu1,2, Baoguang Mao1, Yuanqing Shen1
1State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Design and Manufacturing for Hydrogen Energy Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.
Alkali-metal cations, particularly Na+, can significantly enhance electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (eNO3-RR) for ammonia synthesis. This electrolyte engineering approach optimizes interfacial conditions, boosting ammonia production efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
Background:
- Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (eNO3-RR) offers sustainable ammonia synthesis and wastewater treatment.
- The reaction's efficiency is hindered by slow multi-step conversion kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how alkali-metal cations influence the interfacial microenvironment.
- To enhance ammonia production in eNO3-RR by optimizing cation-mediated catalysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized winged carbon coaxial nanocables as model catalysts.
- Studied the effects of various alkali-metal cations (Cs+, Li+, Na+) on eNO3-RR performance.
- Analyzed interfacial water reorganization and adsorption of NOx intermediates.
Main Results:
- Cs+ enhanced electric fields and NOx intermediate adsorption.
- Li+ promoted water reorganization and *H formation.
- Na+ achieved a balance, enabling efficient coupling of *NOx and *H, yielding 94.9 g h-1 gcat.-1 NH3.
Conclusions:
- Alkali-metal cations are crucial for tuning interfacial properties in eNO3-RR.
- Na+ provides an optimal balance for efficient nitrate reduction and ammonia synthesis.
- Electrolyte engineering with cations offers a general strategy for complex hydrogenation catalysis.
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