Journal
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
Volume 20, Issue 5, Pages 2929-2949Publisher
SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
DOI: 10.1007/s10311-022-01469-y
Keywords
Electrochemical reduction; Electrocatalyst; Nitrate removal; Ammonia production; Selective conversion
Funding
- National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) [2022R1A2C2010686, 2019H1D3A1A01071209, 2021R1I1A1A01060380]
- Korea Basic Science Institute (National research Facilities and Equipment Center) - Ministry of Education [2019R1A6C1010042, 2021R1A6C103A427]
- CAPESPRINT [88881.311799/2018-01]
- Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) [001]
- VIT [SG20210143]
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This article reviews the electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate waste into ammonia, focusing on catalysts, reaction conditions, and side reactions. Electrocatalysts with transition metals facilitate electron transfer, while carbon-based materials enable green electro-conversion. The results show high nitrate conversion rates and ammonia selectivity.
The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate waste into ammonia allows both the removal of nitrate contaminants and an alternative production of ammonia compared to the classical Haber-Bosch industrial process. Ammonia is useful in agriculture for manufacturing fertilizers, and as a reagent in pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, explosives, and the textile industry; ammonia is also an energy carrier in the automobile industry for next-generation fuel cells. Here we review the nitrate-to-ammonia conversion by electrocatalysis of industrial and agricultural waste, with focus on catalysts, reaction intermediates, side reactions, and reaction conditions. Electron transfer is facilitated by electrocatalysts with transition metals having occupied d-orbitals with similar energy levels to that of the nitrate lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. Green electro-conversion using carbon-based materials is also discussed. Results show nitrate conversion from 53 to 99.8% and ammonia selectivity from 70 to 97.4%.
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