2024/03/11 by Kui Liu, Hongmei Li, Minghao Xie +6
Chemical Engineering · Computer Science · Energy · #Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques #Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction #Caching and Content Delivery
paper · pdf · doi:10.1021/jacs.4c00429
openalex publication_date 2024/03/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO 3 RR) holds promise for converting nitrogenous pollutants to valuable ammonia products. However, conventional electrocatalysis faces challenges in effectively driving the complex eight-electron and nine-proton transfer process of the NO 3 RR while also competing with the hydrogen evolution reaction. In this study, we present the thermally enhanced electrocatalysis of nitrate-to-ammonia conversion over nickel-modified copper oxide single-atom alloy oxide nanowires. The catalyst demonstrates improved ammonia production performance with a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 80% and a yield rate of 9.7 mg h –1 cm –2 at +0.1 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode at elevated cell temperatures. In addition, this thermally enhanced electrocatalysis system displays impressive stability, interference resistance, and favorable energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for the simulated industrial wastewater treatment. Complementary in situ analyses confirm that the significantly superior relay of active hydrogen species formed at Ni sites facilitates the thermal-field-coupled electrocatalysis of Cu surface-adsorbed *NO x hydrogenation. Theoretical calculations further support the thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility of the relay catalysis mechanism for the NO 3 RR over the Ni 1 Cu model catalyst. This study introduces a conceptual thermal-electrochemistry approach for the synergistic regulation of complex catalytic processes, highlighting the potential of multifield-coupled catalysis to advance sustainable-energy-powered chemical synthesis technologies.