Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas by a cubic Cu₂O film with predominant (111) orientation

Abstract

O film terminated with nanopyramids was electrodeposited on copper foam as the cathode for electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate. The nitrate removal efficiency reached 94.3% and the selectivity for nontoxic nitrogen gas was 49.2%, 99% and 64.2% in neutral solution, alkaline solution and spiked actual lake water, respectively.