High-efficiency electroreduction of nitrite to ammonia on a Cu@TiO2 nanobelt array

Abstract

Electrochemical nitrite (NO₂⁻) reduction is a potential and sustainable route to produce high-value ammonia (NH₃), but it requires highly active electrocatalysts. Herein, Cu nanoparticles anchored on a TiO₂ nanobelt array on a titanium plate (Cu@TiO₂/TP) are reported as a high-efficiency electrocatalyst for NO₂⁻-to-NH₃ conversion. The designed Cu@TiO₂/TP catalyst exhibits outstanding catalytic performance toward the NO₂⁻RR, with a high NH₃ yield of 760.5 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻² (237.7 μmol h⁻¹ mg_cat.⁻¹) and an excellent faradaic efficiency of 95.3% in neutral solution. Meanwhile, it also presents strong electrochemical stability during cyclic tests and long-term electrolysis.