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Ru single atoms anchored on Co-NC for nitrate electroreduction toward NH3 synthesis
Nano Research 2025, 18(8): 94907623
Published: 16 July 2025
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Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) represents a prospective approach to convert the hazardous NO3 waste into valuable NH3 product. Yet, designing highly efficient and durable catalyst with high NH3 formation selectivity is still challenging. Herein, we report a catalyst of Ru SAs/Co-NC with Ru single atoms (Ru SAs) anchored on Co, N co-doped carbon materials (Co-NC) for efficient NO3RR catalysis to generate NH3. The Ru single atoms were prepared through in-situ transformation of metal nodes in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and the confinement in MOFs ensured the atomical dispersion of Ru atoms. The Ru SAs/Co-NC catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance toward NO3RR, evidenced by a NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 96.3% and yield rate of 1.12 mmol·h−1·cm−2 at −0.5 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), as well as good cycling stability. The density functional theory calculations revealed a Ru–Co synergistic catalytic effect, where the Co site promotes H2O dissociation to supply sufficient *H for continuous hydrogenation/deoxygenation, and the Ru site is able to achieve enhanced NO3 adsorption and accelerated hydrogenation process to form NH3 eventually.

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