Self-supporting CuM LDH (M = Ni, Fe, Co) carbon cloth electrodes for selective electrochemical ammonia oxidation to nitrogen

Electrochemical ammonia oxidation reaction (eAOR) has important applications in ammonia fuel cells and wastewater treatment due to its environmental friendliness and convenient operation. In this study, hydrothermal synthesis was used to create self-supported CuM (M = Ni, Fe, Co) carbon cloth electrodes. After three hours of electrolysis at 1.65 V vs. RHE, a CuCo/CC electrode with the ideal Cu/Co ratio (1:2) achieved the maximum dinitrogen selectivity of 90.0% and Faraday efficiency of 77.4%. The reaction mechanism was investigated using Raman and in-situ IR spectroscopy. Cu serves as NH3 adsorption sites and Co catalyzes the oxidation, and together achieve high efficiency.

Automated summary

This study synthesized self-supported CuM (M = Ni, Fe, Co) carbon cloth electrodes via hydrothermal synthesis and investigated their performance in electrochemical ammonia oxidation reaction (eAOR). The CuCo/CC electrode with the optimal Cu/Co ratio of 1:2 achieved a dinitrogen selectivity of 90.0% and Faraday efficiency of 77.4% after three hours of electrolysis at 1.65 V vs. RHE. The reaction mechanism was explored using Raman and in-situ IR spectroscopy, revealing that Cu acts as NH3 adsorption sites and Co catalyzes the oxidation, leading to high efficiency.