Electrodeposition of a 3D dendritic Cu–Sn bimetallic alloy for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia

Abstract

The development of effective and selective catalysts is the key to improving the multi-electron transfer nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃⁻RR) to ammonia (NH₃). Herein, we prepared a copper–tin bimetallic alloy using the dynamic hydrogen bubble template electrodeposition technique for electrocatalytic NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₃. The NH₃ yield rate and the faraday efficiency were up to 293.12 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻² and 78.57% at −1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ (containing 0.01 M NaNO₃) electrolyte. This paper will provide new suggestions for the use of bimetallic alloys for electrochemical removal of nitrate and ammonia synthesis from water.