Theoretical Study of InxRuy Alloys for Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Fang, Qingchao
Nasir, Md Tarikal
Wijethunge, Dimuthu
Kang, Xuxin
Han, Yun
Yan, Cheng
O’ Mullane, Anthony P
Yin, Hanqing
Du, Aijun
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2024
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia is considered a feasible strategy to address the imbalance of the global nitrogen cycle by eliminating N-containing pollutants in wastewater while producing ammonia in a sustainable way. In this work, we systematically investigate the reduction of nitrate to ammonia on p-block indium (In), noble metal ruthenium (Ru), and their alloys (InRu3, In3Ru). We found that pure In and Ru candidates exhibit various performances for nitrate reduction with low limiting potentials for the potential-determining step of −0.31 V and −0.14 V, respectively. However, the incorporation of In into Ru to create alloys leads to excellent activity for the reduction of nitrate to ammonia. Ammonia production on InRu3 and In3Ru alloys demonstrates higher catalytic activity and selectivity as the byproducts of NO2 and NO can be inhibited, while the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) can also be significantly suppressed. Our work not only proposes efficient electrocatalysts for nitrate reduction but also provides a new strategy for the rational design of alloy catalysts for improved catalytic performance.

Journal Title

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note

This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advance online version.

Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Inorganic chemistry

Chemical sciences

Engineering

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Fang, Q; Nasir, MT; Wijethunge, D; Kang, X; Han, Y; Yan, C; O’ Mullane, AP; Yin, H; Du, A, Theoretical Study of InxRuy Alloys for Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2024

Collections