Ambient Ammonia Synthesis via Nitrate Electroreduction in Neutral Media on Fe3O4 Nanoparticles-decorated TiO2 Nanoribbon Array

Electrochemical nitrate (NO3-) reduction is a potential approach to produce high-value ammonia (NH3) while removing NO3- pollution, but it requires electrocatalysts with high efficiency and selectivity. Herein, we report the development of Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated TiO2 nanoribbon array on titanium plate (Fe3O4@TiO2/TP) as an efficient electrocatalyst for NO3- -to-NH3 conversion. When operated in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline and 0.1 M NO3-, such Fe3O4@TiO2/TP achieves a prominent NH3 yield of 12394.3 mu g h(-1) cm(-2) and a high Faradaic efficiency of 88.4%. In addition, it exhibits excellent stability during long-time electrolysis.

Automated summary

In this study, Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated TiO2 nanoribbon array on titanium plate (Fe3O4@TiO2/TP) was developed as an efficient electrocatalyst for NO3- reduction to produce NH3. Fe3O4@TiO2/TP achieved a high NH3 yield and Faradaic efficiency in 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline and 0.1 M NO3- electrolyte, and demonstrated excellent stability during long-time electrolysis.