Efficient ammonia synthesis via electroreduction of nitrite using single-atom Ru-doped Cu nanowire arrays

Here, we report the highly active and selective electrocatalytic reduction of NO2- ions to value-added NH3 over a single-atom Ru-modified Cu nanowire array on three-dimensional copper foam (Ru-Cu NW/CF) under ambient conditions. The obtained Ru-Cu NW/CF catalyst exhibited a maximum faradaic efficiency of 94.1% and an NH3 yield up to 211.73 mg h(-1) cm(-2) (0.732 mmol h(-1) cm(-2)), which was approximately five times higher than that of the Cu NW/CF catalyst.

Automated summary

In this study, the electrocatalytic reduction of NO2- ions to NH3 on a single-atom Ru-modified Cu nanowire array on a three-dimensional copper foam was successfully achieved under ambient conditions. The Ru-Cu NW/CF catalyst exhibited high faradaic efficiency and NH3 yield, which was approximately five times higher than that of the Cu NW/CF catalyst.