Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia on an In Situ-Derived Co₃O₄@CoBi Core–Shell Nanoarray

Abstract

Room-temperature nitrate electroreduction can simultaneously synthesize ammonia and eliminate N-contaminants, which has attracted a lot of interest but still needs efficient electrocatalysts. Here, we report the in situ derivation of an amorphous cobalt borate (CoBi) film on a Co 3 O 4 nanoarray on carbon cloth (Co 3 O 4 @CoBi/CC) for efficient ammonia generation via selective electroreduction of nitrate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. In a neutral phosphate-buffered electrolyte containing 0.1 M NaNO 3, such a catalyst exhibits a maximum ammonia yield rate of 6.80 mg/h/cm 2 (−1.0 V vs RHE) and a high Faradaic efficiency of up to 97% (−0.7 V vs RHE). Besides, its catalytic activity remains stable in recycling tests and long-term electrolysis. An aqueous Zn nitrate battery with Co 3 O 4 @CoBi/CC as the cathode shows a high battery performance as well.