Unlocking the potential of electrochemical nitrate reduction: a new catalyst approach

    KNOXVILLE, TN, October 01, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In a major step toward sustainable chemistry, scientists have uncovered a new way to significantly boost the electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia through the in-situ evolution of electrocatalysts. This breakthrough provides a cleaner alternative to the traditional ammonia synthesis process and a solution to the critical issue of nitrate pollution in water systems. By improving the efficiency and selectivity of ammonia production, the research has profound implications for environmental sustainability and resource management.

Ammonia is essential for producing fertilizers, chemicals, and energy, yet its conventional production methods are highly energy-intensive. Meanwhile, nitrate pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial waste threatens water ecosystems worldwide. Electrochemical nitrate reduction offers a promising solution by addressing both problems: it removes harmful nitrates from water while producing ammonia. Due to these challenges, a deeper exploration of electrochemical nitrate reduction technology is crucial.

This study (DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2024.100492), conducted by researchers from South China University of Technology and Southern University of Science and Technology, was published on September 13, 2024, in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology. The team examined the performance of in-situ evolved electrocatalysts, particularly nickel and copper foam cathodes, in converting nitrate to ammonia under practical conditions. Their findings show that used catalysts significantly outperformed pristine ones, offering valuable insights for potential industrial applications.

The research demonstrates the remarkable efficiency of in-situ evolved catalysts in enhancing the electrochemical reduction of nitrate. Nickel and copper foam cathodes, when used, self-activated and greatly improved nitrate-to-ammonia conversion compared to their original states. However, the presence of calcium and bicarbonate ions posed a challenge by forming scales that blocked the active sites on the catalysts, particularly when treating actual groundwater over continuous flow operation. Despite these obstacles, the findings highlight the potential for treating nitrate-polluted groundwater, showing promise for scalable applications in water purification and green chemistry.

Dr. Yang Lei, one of the lead scientists, highlighted the impact of the findings: "Our research not only addresses the pressing issue of nitrate pollution but also provides a feasible solution for sustainable ammonia production. The in-situ evolution of these catalysts opens up new possibilities for designing highly efficient systems that can tackle real-world environmental problems."

This study holds the potential to transform both ammonia production and water treatment. By enhancing nitrate reduction efficiency, it offers a cleaner, more energy-efficient alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process. The technology could help industries reduce energy consumption and lower their environmental impact. Looking ahead, future research will aim to improve catalyst durability and performance during long-term operations, particularly in treating actual wastewater.

References
DOI
10.1016/j.ese.2024.100492

Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2024.100492

Funding information
This work was financially supported by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (JCYJ20230807093405011; 20220815101937003), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2023A1515110152), and the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement and Early Warning Technology for Urban Environmental Health Risk (ZDSY20220606100604008), the High Level of Special Funds (G03050K001).

About Environmental Science and Ecotechnology
Environmental Science and Ecotechnology (ISSN 2666-4984) is an international, peer-reviewed, and open-access journal published by Elsevier. The journal publishes significant views and research across the full spectrum of ecology and environmental sciences, such as climate change, sustainability, biodiversity conservation, environment & health, green catalysis/processing for pollution control, and AI-driven environmental engineering. The latest impact factor of ESE is 12.6, according to the Journal Citation ReportTM 2022.

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