Coupling Cu doping and oxygen vacancies in Co3O4 for efficient electrochemical nitrate conversion to ammonia

Abstract

Electrochemical conversion of nitrate to NH₃ not only eliminates nitrate pollution in the environment, but also produces highly valuable NH₃. Herein, Cu-doped Co₃O₄ with abundant oxygen vacancies (Cu–Co₃O_4−x) was prepared on carbon cloth. The as-fabricated Cu–Co₃O_4−x can selectively reduce nitrate to NH₃ with high Faraday efficiencies (around 90%) and a large NH₃ yield of 0.83 mmol h⁻¹ cm⁻² in a neutral electrolyte.