High-efficiency electrochemical nitrite reduction to ammonium using a Cu3P nanowire array under ambient conditions

Electrochemical reduction of nitrite addresses the need for nitrite contaminant removal and provides an on-site, cost-effective, and sustainable route for rapidly generating ammonia/ammonium. Its practical implementation however requires advanced electrocatalysts with enhanced ammonium yield rates and faradaic efficiencies. Our study here introduces a Cu3P nanowire array supported on copper foam (Cu3P NA/CF) for the first time as an efficient electrocatalyst for nitrite-to-ammonium conversion in neutral media. In 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline containing 0.1 M NaNO2, the freestanding Cu3P NA/CF electrode displays a large ammonium yield rate of 1626.6 +/- 36.1 mu g h(-1) cm(-2) and a high FE of 91.2 +/- 2.5% at -0.5 V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode, with good stability. The catalytic mechanism is revealed by density functional theory calculations.

Automated summary

The study introduces a Cu3P nanowire array supported on copper foam as an efficient electrocatalyst for nitrite-to-ammonium conversion in neutral media. This catalyst demonstrates high ammonium yield rates, Faradaic efficiencies, and stability.