Al‐Ce Intermetallic Phase for Ambient High‐Performance Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia

Abstract

AbstractThe conversion of NO3−‐to‐NH3 by electrolysis is an appealing approach for wastewater treatment; however, such a process is hindered by the lack of efficient catalysts. Herein, taking the nanoporous Al11Ce3 intermetallic phase as an example, its electrocatalytic NO3− reduction reaction capability is first demonstrated. Benefiting from the unique structural feature, optimized intermediates adsorption and formation behavior, and restrained hydrogen evolution, the catalyst shows a remarkable electrochemical performance with a peak faradaic efficiency of 91 % and yield rate of 4.35 mg h−1 mgcat−1, along with robust activity over 30 h. Further, a Zn−NO3− battery by using Al11Ce3 as the cathode was designed, which gives a maximal power density of 8.5 mW cm−2 and a corresponding NH3 yield rate of 1.97 mg h−1 mgcat−1.