Synthesis of Ultrathin Mesoporous Cu<sub>x</sub>Ru Nanomeshes for Efficient Kilowatt‐Level Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia
Abstract
AbstractThe electrochemical conversion of abundant nitrate ions from industrial wastewater and polluted groundwater into value‐added ammonia represents an important route for the sustainable development of human society. However, developing efficient and stable catalysts remains a huge challenge. Herein, the synthesis of ultrathin mesoporous CuxRu nanomeshes is reported via a theory‐guided ion exchange method for efficient nitrate reduction to ammonia. The prepared CuxRu nanomeshes are composed of Cu atoms anchored ultrathin mesoporous Ru nanomeshes, with a thickness of ≈2–3 nm and a pore distribution between 2 and 10 nm. It offers a high nitrate reduction performance, including a positive onset potential (0.41 V), a high ammonia Faradaic efficiency (94.5%) and a highest ammonia mass activity (0.7 A mg−1) at 0 V up to date. Moreover, a kilowatt‐level nitrate reduction is first verified in a flow electrolyzer, with the fastest reported NO3− removal velocity of 12.4 mmol min−1. In situ characterizations and theoretical calculations clearly reveal that Cu atoms can balance the energy barriers in nitrate reduction and competitive hydrogen evolution reactions, leading to improved catalytic performance.
Article Details
Authors (13)
Haitao Xu
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, College of Chemistry and Materials, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
Ali Han
Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China
Yang Yang
Hongfei Wu
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
Hao Zhang
Canglang Yao
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
Yunfei Bu
UNIST-NUIST Energy and Environment Jointed Lab (UNNU), School of Environment Science and Technology
Zhengping Fu
Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 96 Jinzhai, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China
Yalin Lu
Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 96 Jinzhai, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China
Gang Liu
Jong‐Beom Baek
Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering Center For Dimension‐Controllable Organic Frameworks Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Ulsan South Korea
Feng Li
Dongyuan Zhao
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China