High-efficiency electroreduction of nitrite to ammonia on a Cu@TiO2 nanobelt array.

Abstract

Electrochemical nitrite (NO2-) reduction is a potential and sustainable route to produce high-value ammonia (NH3), but it requires highly active electrocatalysts. Herein, Cu nanoparticles anchored on a TiO2 nanobelt array on a titanium plate (Cu@TiO2/TP) are reported as a high-efficiency electrocatalyst for NO2--to-NH3 conversion. The designed Cu@TiO2/TP catalyst exhibits outstanding catalytic performance toward the NO2-RR, with a high NH3 yield of 760.5 μmol h-1 cm-2 (237.7 μmol h-1 mgcat.-1) and an excellent faradaic efficiency of 95.3% in neutral solution. Meanwhile, it also presents strong electrochemical stability during cyclic tests and long-term electrolysis.