Al‐Ce Intermetallic Phase for Ambient High‐Performance Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia

Here, nanoporous Al₁₁Ce₃ intermetallic phase has been designed for efficiently catalyzing nitrate reduction and Zn−NO₃ ⁻ battery, which realizes notable high NH₃ yield rate and electricity output.

Abstract

The conversion of NO₃ ⁻-to-NH₃ by electrolysis is an appealing approach for wastewater treatment; however, such a process is hindered by the lack of efficient catalysts. Herein, taking the nanoporous Al₁₁Ce₃ intermetallic phase as an example, its electrocatalytic NO₃ ⁻ reduction reaction capability is first demonstrated. Benefiting from the unique structural feature, optimized intermediates adsorption and formation behavior, and restrained hydrogen evolution, the catalyst shows a remarkable electrochemical performance with a peak faradaic efficiency of 91 % and yield rate of 4.35 mg h⁻¹ mg_cat ⁻¹, along with robust activity over 30 h. Further, a Zn−NO₃ ⁻ battery by using Al₁₁Ce₃ as the cathode was designed, which gives a maximal power density of 8.5 mW cm⁻² and a corresponding NH₃ yield rate of 1.97 mg h⁻¹ mg_cat ⁻¹.

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