In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO₃RR) for sustainable ammonia production. Our work addresses the limitations of the traditional Haber–Bosch process by exploring ambient-condition electrochemical conversion of nitrate into ammonia, highlighting mechanistic insights, catalyst engineering strategies, and practical applications.
Key Insights
- Why It Matters: Nitrate pollution disrupts ecosystems and human health. Electrochemical conversion of nitrate to ammonia offers a sustainable alternative to the energy-intensive Haber–Bosch process.
- Sustainable Pathway: NO₃RR offers a green route for ammonia synthesis, mitigating nitrate pollution and reducing carbon emissions.
- Mechanistic Understanding: Eight-electron NO₃RR pathway, competitive HER, and intermediates such as NO₂⁻, NO, NHₓ.
- Catalyst Design Strategies: Metal doping (Cu, Co, Fe, Ni, La, Ce), non-metal doping (B, P, S), single/dual-atom catalysts, heterointerfaces, high-entropy alloys.
- Performance Benchmarks: Faradaic efficiency up to 100%, NH₃ yield rates exceeding 290 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻², MEA-based systems maintain a stability of up to 2100 h with 80% Faradic efficiency.
- Future Outlook: Low-cost and durable catalysts for real wastewater treatment, standardized protocols for NH3 measurement, system-level engineering for industrial deployment.
Significance
This review provides a roadmap for advancing green ammonia production through electrocatalysis. By integrating mechanistic insights with material innovations, we outline strategies for designing efficient catalysts and systems that support global carbon neutrality goals.
Authors and Contact
Authors: Joyjit Kundu, Toshali Bhoyar, Jeonghyeon Kim, Jinwon Choi, Dohee Kim
Corresponding Authors:
- Taehyun Kwon – thyunkwon@inu.ac.kr
- Jin Young Kim – jinykim@kist.re.kr
- Kwangyeol Lee – kylee1@korea.ac.kr
- Sang-Il Choi – sichoi@knu.ac.kr
Affiliations: Kyungpook National University, Korea University, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Incheon National University