Engineering a Kesterite‐Based Photocathode for Photoelectrochemical Ammonia Synthesis from NO<i>_x</i> Reduction

Abstract

Abstract Ammonia is a key chemical feedstock for industry as well as future carbon‐free fuel and transportable vector for renewable energy. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) ammonia synthesis from NO x reduction reaction (NO x RR) provides not only a promising alternative to the energy‐intensive Haber–Bosch process through direct solar‐to‐ammonia conversion, but a sustainable solution for balancing the global nitrogen cycle by restoring ammonia from wastewater. In this work, selective ammonia synthesis from PEC NO x RR by a kesterite (Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 [CZTS]) photocathode through loading defect‐engineered TiO x cocatalyst on a CdS/CZTS photocathode (TiO x /CdS/CZTS) is demonstrated. The uniquely designed photocathode enables selective ammonia production from NO x RR, yielding up to 89.1% Faradaic efficiency (FE) (0.1 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) with a remarkable positive onset potential (0.38 V vs RHE). By tailoring the amount of surface defective Ti 3+ species, the adsorption of reactant NO 3 − and * NO 2 intermediate is significantly promoted while the full coverage of TiO x also suppresses NO 2 − liberation as a by‐product, contributing to high ammonia selectivity. Further attempts on PEC ammonia synthesis from simulated wastewater show good FE of 64.9%, unveiling the potential of using the kesterite‐based photocathode for sustainably restoring ammonia from nitrate‐rich wastewater.