1
|
Wei J, Ye G, Lin H, Li Z, Zhou J, Li YY. Enhanced electrochemical nitrate reduction on copper nitride with moderate intermediates adsorption. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 670:798-807. [PMID: 38789354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Nitrate in surface and underground water caused systematic risk to the ecological environment. The electrochemically reduction of nitrate into ammonia (NO3RR), offering a sustainable route for nitrate containing wastewater treatment and ammonia fertilizer conversion. Exploration of catalyst with improved catalytic activity with lower energy barriers is still challenging. Here, we report a copper nitride (Cu3N) catalyst with moderate *NOx and *H2O intermediates adsorptions showed enhanced NO3RR performance. Density functional theory calculations reveals that the unique electronic structure of Cu3N provides efficient active sites for NO3RR, thus enabled balanced adsorption of *NO3 and *H2O (ΔE descriptor), sufficient active hydrogen, and moderate intermediate (*NO3 → HNO3, *NH2→*NH3) adsorption energy. Notably, the in-situ analysis technology revealed potential-driven reconstruction and rehabilitation of Cu3N, forming possible nitrogen vacancy, thus implied for better mechanism understanding. The NO3RR activity of Cu3N surpasses that of most recent catalysts and demonstrates superior stability and implies the application for NH4+ fertilizer recovery, which maintaining an NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 93.1 % and high yield rate of 2.9 mg cm2h-1 at -0.6 V versus RHE. These findings broaden the application scenarios of Cu3N catalyst for ammonia synthesis and provide strategy on improving NO3RR performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinshan Wei
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advance Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Gan Ye
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, PR China
| | - Hexing Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advance Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Zhiming Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advance Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China
| | - Ji Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Ya-Yun Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advance Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shao B, Niu L, Xie YG, Zhang R, Wang W, Xu X, Sun J, Xing D, Lee DJ, Ren N, Hua ZS, Chen C. Overlooked in-situ sulfur disproportionation fuels dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium in sulfur-based system: Novel insight of nitrogen recovery. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 257:121700. [PMID: 38705068 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Sulfur-based denitrification is a promising technology in treatments of nitrate-contaminated wastewaters. However, due to weak bioavailability and electron-donating capability of elemental sulfur, its sulfur-to-nitrate ratio has long been low, limiting the support for dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) process. Using a long-term sulfur-packed reactor, we demonstrate here for the first time that DNRA in sulfur-based system is not negligible, but rather contributes a remarkable 40.5 %-61.1 % of the total nitrate biotransformation for ammonium production. Through combination of kinetic experiments, electron flow analysis, 16S rRNA amplicon, and microbial network succession, we unveil a cryptic in-situ sulfur disproportionation (SDP) process which significantly facilitates DNRA via enhancing mass transfer and multiplying 86.7-210.9 % of bioavailable electrons. Metagenome assembly and single-copy gene phylogenetic analysis elucidate the abundant genomes, including uc_VadinHA17, PHOS-HE36, JALNZU01, Thiobacillus, and Rubrivivax, harboring complete genes for ammonification. Notably, a unique group of self-SDP-coupled DNRA microorganism was identified. This study unravels a previously concealed fate of DNRA, which highlights the tremendous potential for ammonium recovery and greenhouse gas mitigation. Discovery of a new coupling between nitrogen and sulfur cycles underscores great revision needs of sulfur-driven denitrification technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Li Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Yuan-Guo Xie
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Ruochen Zhang
- School of Civil and Transportation, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Xijun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Jianxing Sun
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, PR China
| | - Defeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Chung-li 32003, Taiwan
| | - Nanqi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Zheng-Shuang Hua
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li D, Zhang XY, Xie JF, Chen JJ, Zhao QB, Liu L, Wang WK, Li WW, Yu HQ. Ultrathin cobalt-based nanosheets containing surface oxygen promoted near-complete nitrate removal. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 672:383-391. [PMID: 38848622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic nitrate removal offers a sustainable approach to alleviate nitrate pollution and to boost the anthropogenic nitrogen cycle, but it still suffers from limited removal efficiency at high rates, especially at low levels of nitrate. Herein, we report the near-complete removal of low-level nitrate (10-200 ppm) within 2 h using ultrathin cobalt-based nanosheets (CoNS) containing surface oxygen, which was fabricated from in-situ electrochemical reconstruction of conventional nanosheets. The average nitrate removal of 99.7 % with ammonia selectivity of 98.2 % in 9 cyclic runs ranked in the best of reported catalysts. Powered by a solar cell under the winter sun, the full-cell nitrate electrolysis system, equipped with ultrathin CoNS, achieved 100 % nitrogen gas selectivity and 99.6 % total nitrogen removal. The in-situ Fourier Transform Infrared included experiments and theoretical computations revealed that in-situ electrochemical reconstruction not only increased electrochemical active surface area but also constructed surface oxygen in active sites, leading to enhanced stabilization of nitrate adsorption in a symmetry breaking configuration and charge transfer, contributing to near-complete nitrate removal on ultrathin CoNS. This work provides a strategy to design ultrathin nanocatalysts for nitrate removal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ding Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin-Yu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jia-Fang Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Research Center of Urban Carbon Neutrality, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Jie-Jie Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Quan-Bao Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lin Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei-Kang Wang
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wen-Wei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Han-Qing Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gao J, Ma Q, Zhang Y, Xue S, Young J, Zhao M, Ren ZJ, Kim JH, Zhang W. Coupling Curvature and Hydrophobicity: A Counterintuitive Strategy for Efficient Electroreduction of Nitrate into Ammonia. ACS NANO 2024; 18:10302-10311. [PMID: 38537206 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical upcycling of nitrate (NO3-) to ammonia (NH3) holds promise for synergizing both wastewater treatment and NH3 synthesis. Efficient stripping of gaseous products (NH3, H2, and N2) from electrocatalysts is crucial for continuous and stable electrochemical reactions. This study evaluated a layered electrocatalyst structure using copper (Cu) dendrites to enable a high curvature and hydrophobicity and achieve a stratified liquid contact at the gas-liquid interface of the electrocatalyst layer. As such, gaseous product desorption or displacement from electrocatalysts was enhanced due to the separation of a wetted reaction zone and a nonwetted zone for gas transfer. Consequently, this electrocatalyst structure yielded a 2.9-fold boost in per-active-site activity compared with that with a low curvature and high hydrophilic counterpart. Moreover, a NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 90.9 ± 2.3% was achieved with nearly 100% NO3- conversion. This high-curvature hydrophobic Cu dendrite was further integrated with a gas-extraction membrane, which demonstrated a comparable NH3 yield from the real reverse osmosis retentate brine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Gao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Qingquan Ma
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Yihan Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Shan Xue
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Joshua Young
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Mengqiang Zhao
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Jae-Hong Kim
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu D, Wang W, Liu D, Gao Z, Wang W. Bubble Turbulent Gas-Permeable Membrane for Ammonia Recovery from Swine Wastewater: Mass Transfer Enhancement and Antifouling Mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6019-6029. [PMID: 38509821 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Recovering ammonium from swine wastewater employing a gas-permeable membrane (GM) has potential but suffers from the limitations of unattractive mass transfer and poor-tolerance antifouling properties. Turbulence is an effective approach to enhancing the release of volatile ammonia from wastewater while relying on interfacial disturbance to interfere with contaminant adhesion. Herein, we design an innovative gas-permeable membrane coupled with bubble turbulence (BT-GM) that enhances mass transfer while mitigating membrane fouling. Bubbles act as turbulence carriers to accelerate the release and migration of ammonia from the liquid phase, increasing the ammonia concentration gradient at the membrane-liquid interface. In comparison, the ammonium mass transfer rate of the BT-GM process applied to real swine wastewater is 38% higher than that of conventional GM (12 h). Through a computational fluid dynamics simulation, the turbulence kinetic energy of BT-GM system is 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of GM, and the effective mass transfer area is nearly 3 times that of GM. Seven batches of tests confirmed that the BT-GM system exhibits remarkable antifouling ability, broadens its adaptability to complex water quality, and practically promotes the development of sustainable resource recycling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Zibo Gao
- Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, (Ministry of Education of China), Jilin University, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
- College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xiong Y, Wang Y, Zhou J, Liu F, Hao F, Fan Z. Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction: Ammonia Synthesis and the Beyond. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2304021. [PMID: 37294062 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural nitrogen cycle has been severely disrupted by anthropogenic activities. The overuse of N-containing fertilizers induces the increase of nitrate level in surface and ground waters, and substantial emission of nitrogen oxides causes heavy air pollution. Nitrogen gas, as the main component of air, has been used for mass ammonia production for over a century, providing enough nutrition for agriculture to support world population increase. In the last decade, researchers have made great efforts to develop ammonia processes under ambient conditions to combat the intensive energy consumption and high carbon emission associated with the Haber-Bosch process. Among different techniques, electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) can achieve nitrate removal and ammonia generation simultaneously using renewable electricity as the power, and there is an exponential growth of studies in this research direction. Here, a timely and comprehensive review on the important progresses of electrochemical NO3RR, covering the rational design of electrocatalysts, emerging CN coupling reactions, and advanced energy conversion and storage systems is provided. Moreover, future perspectives are proposed to accelerate the industrialized NH3 production and green synthesis of chemicals, leading to a sustainable nitrogen cycle via prosperous N-based electrochemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Yunhao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu F, Li J, An N, Huang J, Liu X, Li M. Highly active electroreduction of nitrates to ammonia over a zeolitic imidazolium framework-derived Fe single-atom catalyst with sulfur-modified asymmetric active centers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133484. [PMID: 38219591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The electroreduction of aqueous nitrate (NO3-) to ammonium is an energy-efficient process that helps protect the environment and facilitates ammonia production. However, a fine optimization of the catalyst structure containing active centers should be performed to improve the efficiencies of NO3- reduction and NH4+ production. Herein, a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-derived sulfur-modified Fe single-atom catalyst is developed as an efficient and durable cathode material. Experimental and theoretical studies confirm the role of S-doping in modifying the electron density distribution of Fe centers, promoting the interaction between the Fe 3d orbital and O 2p orbital of NO3- and thereby enhancing its catalytic performance. A Faradaic efficiency of 93.9% for NH4+ production at - 0.47 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode is achieved, which remains at 91.0% even after six cycles. A synergistic effect between a defect-rich support and metal atom centers can be utilized to develop a new strategy for the facile design and implementation of high-performance electrocatalysts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, 235# Daxue West Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 19# Xinjiekouwai St., Hai Dian Distract, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ning An
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 30# Shuangqing Road, Hai Dan District, Beijing 100086, China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 30# Shuangqing Road, Hai Dan District, Beijing 100086, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 30# Shuangqing Road, Hai Dan District, Beijing 100086, China
| | - Miao Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, 30# Shuangqing Road, Hai Dan District, Beijing 100086, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Luo W, Guo Z, Ye L, Wu S, Jiang Y, Xu P, Wang H, Qian J, Zhou X, Tang H, Ge Y, Guan J, Yang Z, Nie H. Electrical-Driven Directed-Evolution of Copper Nanowires Catalysts for Efficient Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2311336. [PMID: 38385851 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate (NO3 - ) to NH3 (NO3 RR) at ambient conditions offers a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. The pivotal factors in optimizing the proficient conversion of NO3 - into NH3 include enhancing the adsorption capabilities of the intermediates on the catalyst surface and expediting the hydrogenation steps. Herein, the Cu/Cu2 O/Pi NWs catalyst is designed based on the directed-evolution strategy to achieve an efficient reduction of NO3 ‾. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the OV -enriched Cu2 O phase developed during the directed-evolution process and the pristine Cu phase, the catalyst exhibits improved adsorption performance for diverse NO3 RR intermediates. Additionally, the phosphate group anchored on the catalyst's surface during the directed-evolution process facilitates water electrolysis, thereby generating Hads on the catalyst surface and promoting the hydrogenation step of NO3 RR. As a result, the Cu/Cu2 O/Pi NWs catalyst shows an excellent FE for NH3 (96.6%) and super-high NH3 yield rate of 1.2 mol h-1 gcat. -1 in 1 m KOH and 0.1 m KNO3 solution at -0.5 V versus RHE. Moreover, the catalyst's stability is enhanced by the stabilizing influence of the phosphate group on the Cu2 O phase. This work highlights the promise of a directed-evolution approach in designing catalysts for NO3 RR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Luo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Zeyi Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Ling Ye
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Shilu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Yingyang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Jinjie Qian
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Xuemei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Hao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Yongjie Ge
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Jia Guan
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- Institute of New Materials & Industrial Technology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Huagui Nie
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ren Y, You S, Wang Y, Yang J, Liu Y. Bioinspired Tandem Electrode for Selective Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Ammonia from Aqueous Nitrate. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2144-2152. [PMID: 38234209 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) has recently emerged as a promising technique for readily converting aqueous nitrate (NO3-) pollutants into valuable ammonia (NH3). It is vital to thoroughly understand the mechanism of the reaction to rationally design and construct advanced electrocatalytic systems that can effectively and selectively drive the NO3RR. There are several natural enzymes that incorporate molybdenum (Mo) and that can activate NO3-. Based on this, a cadmium (Cd) single-atom anchored Mo2TiC2Tx electrocatalyst (referred to as CdSA-Mo2TiC2Tx) through the NO3RR to generate NH3 was rationally designed and demonstrated. In an H-type electrolysis cell and at a current density of 42.5 mA cm-2, the electrocatalyst had a Faradaic efficiency of >95% and an impressive NH3 yield rate of 48.5 mg h-1 cm-2. Moreover, the conversion of NO3- to NH3 on the CdSA-Mo2TiC2Tx surface was further revealed by operando attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and an electrochemical differential mass spectrometer. The electrocatalyst significantly outperformed Mo2TiC2Tx as well as reported state-of-the-art catalysts. Density functional theory calculations revealed that CdSA-Mo2TiC2Tx decreased the ability of the d-p orbital to hybridize with NH3* intermediates, thereby decreasing the activation energy of the potential-determining step. This work not only highlights the application prospects of heavy metal single-atom catalysts in the NO3RR but also provides examples of bio-inspired electrocatalysts for the synthesis of NH3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Ren
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Shijie You
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jianping Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yanbiao Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dai J, Tong Y, Zhao L, Hu Z, Chen CT, Kuo CY, Zhan G, Wang J, Zou X, Zheng Q, Hou W, Wang R, Wang K, Zhao R, Gu XK, Yao Y, Zhang L. Spin polarized Fe 1-Ti pairs for highly efficient electroreduction nitrate to ammonia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:88. [PMID: 38167739 PMCID: PMC10762114 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44469-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia offers an attractive solution to environmental sustainability and clean energy production but suffers from the sluggish *NO hydrogenation with the spin-state transitions. Herein, we report that the manipulation of oxygen vacancies can contrive spin-polarized Fe1-Ti pairs on monolithic titanium electrode that exhibits an attractive NH3 yield rate of 272,000 μg h-1 mgFe-1 and a high NH3 Faradic efficiency of 95.2% at -0.4 V vs. RHE, far superior to the counterpart with spin-depressed Fe1-Ti pairs (51000 μg h-1 mgFe-1) and the mostly reported electrocatalysts. The unpaired spin electrons of Fe and Ti atoms can effectively interact with the key intermediates, facilitating the *NO hydrogenation. Coupling a flow-through electrolyzer with a membrane-based NH3 recovery unit, the simultaneous nitrate reduction and NH3 recovery was realized. This work offers a pioneering strategy for manipulating spin polarization of electrocatalysts within pair sites for nitrate wastewater treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yawen Tong
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Long Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhiwei Hu
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Nothnitzer Strasse 40, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Chien-Te Chen
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu, 300092, Taiwan, China
| | - Chang-Yang Kuo
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu, 300092, Taiwan, China
- Department of Electrophysics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, China
| | - Guangming Zhan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jiaxian Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xingyue Zou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Wei Hou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ruizhao Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiang-Kui Gu
- School of Power and Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| | - Yancai Yao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Lizhi Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhou J, Xiong Y, Sun M, Xu Z, Wang Y, Lu P, Liu F, Hao F, Feng T, Ma Y, Yin J, Ye C, Chen B, Xi S, Zhu Y, Huang B, Fan Z. Constructing molecule-metal relay catalysis over heterophase metallene for high-performance rechargeable zinc-nitrate/ethanol batteries. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311149120. [PMID: 38064508 PMCID: PMC10723141 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311149120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc-nitrate batteries can integrate energy supply, ammonia electrosynthesis, and sewage disposal into one electrochemical device. However, current zinc-nitrate batteries still severely suffer from the limited energy density and poor rechargeability. Here, we report the synthesis of tetraphenylporphyrin (tpp)-modified heterophase (amorphous/crystalline) rhodium-copper alloy metallenes (RhCu M-tpp). Using RhCu M-tpp as a bifunctional catalyst for nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) and ethanol oxidation reaction in neutral solution, a highly rechargeable and low-overpotential zinc-nitrate/ethanol battery is successfully constructed, which exhibits outstanding energy density of 117364.6 Wh kg-1cat, superior rate capability, excellent cycling stability of ~400 cycles, and potential ammonium acetate production. Ex/in situ experimental studies and theoretical calculations reveal that there is a molecule-metal relay catalysis in NO3RR over RhCu M-tpp that significantly facilitates the ammonia selectivity and reaction kinetics via a low energy barrier pathway. This work provides an effective design strategy of multifunctional metal-based catalysts toward the high-performance zinc-based hybrid energy systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang621900, China
| | - Yuecheng Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Mingzi Sun
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Zhihang Xu
- Department of Applied Physics Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Yunhao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Pengyi Lu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Fengkun Hao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Tianyi Feng
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Yangbo Ma
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Jinwen Yin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Chenliang Ye
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Biao Chen
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin300350, China
| | - Shibo Xi
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment, A*STAR, Singapore627833, Singapore
| | - Ye Zhu
- Department of Applied Physics Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Bolong Huang
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Zhanxi Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
- Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon999077, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen518057, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gu Z, Ni N, He G, Shan Y, Wu K, Hu C, Qu J. Enhanced Hydrosaturation Selectivity and Electron Transfer for Electrocatalytic Chlorophenols Hydrogenation on Ru Sites. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16695-16706. [PMID: 37844151 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation is acknowledged as a promising strategy for chlorophenol dechlorination. However, the widely used Pd catalysts exhibit drawbacks, such as high costs and low selectivity for phenol hydrosaturation. Herein, we demonstrate the potential and mechanism of Ru in serving as a Pd substitute using 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) as a model pollutant. Up to 99.8% TCP removal efficiency and 99% selectivity to cyclohexanol, a value-added compound with an extremely low toxicity, were achieved on the Ru electrode. In contrast, only 66% of TCP was removed on the Pd electrode, with almost no hydrosaturation selectivity. The superiority of Ru over Pd was especially noteworthy in alkaline conditions or the presence of interfering species such as S2-. The theoretical simulation demonstrates that Ru possesses a hydrodechlorination energy barrier of 0.72 eV, which is comparable to that on Pd. Meanwhile, hydrosaturation requires an activation energy of 0.69 eV on Ru, which is much lower than that on Pd (0.92 eV). The main reaction mechanism on Ru is direct electron transfer, which is distinct from that on Pd (indirect pathway via atomic hydrogen, H*). This work thereby provides new insights into designing cost-effective electrocatalysts for halogenated phenol detoxification and resource recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenao Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Nan Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Guangzhi He
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yulong Shan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Kun Wu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sun J, Garg S, Waite TD. A Novel Integrated Flow-Electrode Capacitive Deionization and Flow Cathode System for Nitrate Removal and Ammonia Generation from Simulated Groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14726-14736. [PMID: 37721968 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical reduction of nitrate is a promising method for the removal of nitrate from contaminated groundwater. However, the presence of hardness cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) in groundwaters hampers the electroreduction of nitrate as a result of the precipitation of carbonate-containing solids of these elements on the cathode surface. Thus, some pretreatment process is required to remove unwanted hardness cations. Herein, we present a proof-of-concept of a novel three-chambered flow electrode unit, constituting a flow electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) unit and a flow cathode (FC) unit, which achieves cation removal, nitrate capture and reduction, and ammonia generation in a single cell without the need for any additional chemicals/electrolyte. The addition of the FCDI unit not only achieves removal of hardness cations but also concentrates the nitrate ions and other anions, which facilitates nitrate reduction in the subsequent FC unit. Results show that the FCDI cell voltage influences electrode stability but has a minimal impact on the overall nitrate removal performance. The concentration of coexisting anions influences the nitrate removal due to competitive sorption of anions on the electrode surface. Our results further show that stable electrochemical performance was obtained over 26 h of operation. Overall, this study provides a scalable strategy for continuous nitrate electroreduction and ammonia generation from nitrate contaminated groundwaters containing hardness ions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Sun
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Shikha Garg
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - T David Waite
- UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- UNSW Centre for Transformational Environmental Technologies, Yixing, Jiangsu Province 214206, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhou B, Zhan G, Yao Y, Zhang W, Zhao S, Quan F, Fang C, Shi Y, Huang Y, Jia F, Zhang L. Renewable energy driven electroreduction nitrate to ammonia and in-situ ammonia recovery via a flow-through coupled device. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120256. [PMID: 37354842 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Green ammonia production from wastewater via electrochemical nitrate reduction contributes substantially to the realization of carbon neutrality. Nonetheless, the current electrochemical technology is largely limited by the lack of suitable device for efficient and continuous electroreduction nitrate into ammonia and in-situ ammonia recovery. Here, we report a flow-through coupled device composed of a compact electrocatalytic cell for efficient nitrate reduction and a unit to separate the produced ammonia without any pH adjustment and additional energy-input from the circulating nitrate-containing wastewater. Using an efficient and selective Cl-modified Cu foam electrode, nearly 100% NO3- electroreduction efficiency and over 82.5% NH3 Faradaic efficiency was realized for a wide range of nitrate-containing wastewater from 50 to 200 mg NO3--N L-1. Moreover, this flow-through coupled device can continuingly operate at a large current of 800 mA over 100 h with a sustained NH3 yield rate of 420 μg h-1 cm-2 for nitrate-containing wastewater treatment (50 mg NO3--N L-1). When driven by solar energy, the flow-through coupled device can also exhibit exceptional real wastewater treatment performance, delivering great potential for practical application. This work paves a new avenue for clean energy production and environmental sustainability as well as carbon neutrality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Guangming Zhan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yancai Yao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
| | - Weixing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Shengxi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Fengjiao Quan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Chuyang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Yanbiao Shi
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Falong Jia
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Lizhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental & Applied Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu Z, Shen F, Shi L, Tong Q, Tang M, Li Y, Peng M, Jiao Z, Jiang Y, Ao L, Fu W, Lv X, Jiang G, Hou L. Electronic Structure Optimization and Proton-Transfer Enhancement on Titanium Oxide-Supported Copper Nanoparticles for Enhanced Nitrogen Recycling from Nitrate-Contaminated Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37364020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to NH3 (NO3RR) on Cu offers sustainable NH3 production and nitrogen recycling from nitrate-contaminated water. However, Cu affords limited NO3RR activity owing to its unfavorable electronic state and the slow proton transfer on its surface, especially in neutral/alkaline media. Furthermore, although a synchronous "NO3RR and NH3 collection" system has been developed for nitrogen recycling from nitrate-laden water, no system is designed for natural water that generally contains low-concentration nitrate. Herein, we demonstrate that depositing Cu nanoparticles on a TiO2 support enables the formation of electron-deficient Cuδ+ species (0 < δ ≤ 2), which are more active than Cu0 in NO3RR. Furthermore, TiO2-Cu coupling induces local electric-field enhancement that intensifies water adsorption/dissociation at the interface, accelerating proton transfer for NO3RR on Cu. With the dual enhancements, TiO2-Cu delivers an NH3-N selectivity of 90.5%, mass activity of 41.4 mg-N h gCu-1, specific activity of 377.8 mg-N h-1 m-2, and minimal Cu leaching (<25.4 μg L-1) when treating 22.5 mg L-1 of NO3--N at -0.40 V, outperforming most of the reported Cu-based catalysts. A sequential NO3RR and NH3 collection system based on TiO2-Cu was then proposed, which could recycle nitrogen from nitrate-contaminated water under a wide concentration window of 22.5-112.5 mg L-1 at a rate of 209-630 mgN m-2 h-1. We also demonstrated this system could collect 83.9% of nitrogen from NO3--N (19.3 mg L-1) in natural lake water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zixun Liu
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Fei Shen
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Li Shi
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Qiuwen Tong
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Mu'e Tang
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Min Peng
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Zhaojie Jiao
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Yan Jiang
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Liang Ao
- Chongqing Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, Chongqing 400700, China
- Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chongqing 400700, China
| | - Wenyang Fu
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Xiaoshu Lv
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Guangming Jiang
- Engineering Research Center for Waste Oil Recovery Technology and Equipment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
- Chongqing Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, Chongqing 400700, China
- Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chongqing 400700, China
| | - Li'an Hou
- High Tech Inst Beijing, Beijing 100000, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhu D, Li G, Yan X, Geng C, Gao L. Electrochemical nitrate reduction to high-value ammonia on two-dimensional molybdenum carbide nanosheets for nitrate-containing wastewater upcycling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:163145. [PMID: 37001674 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical conversion of nitrate wastewater into high-value ammonia fertilizer has attracted extensive attention in wastewater treatment and resource recovery, but presents great challenges due to complicated reaction pathways and competing side reactions. Herein, we report a feasible method for the successful fabrication of Mo2C nanosheets (Mo2C NSs) as electrocatalyst for the electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia. Compared to Mo2C nanoparticles, the Mo2C NSs exhibited superior activity and selectivity in NH3 electrosynthesis with an NH3 yield rate of 25.2 mg·h-1·mg-1cat. at -0.4 V and a Faradaic efficiency of 81.4 % at -0.3 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy characterization verifted the controllable conversion of 2D MoO2 NSs into 2D Mo2C NSs. In situ spectroscopic studies and on-line differential electrochemical mass spectrometry revealed the proposed reaction pathway of NO3- to NH3 conversion, *NO3- → *NO2- → *NO→*NOH → *NH2OH → *NH3. Density functional theory calculations further verified the effective N-end NOH pathway with the conversion of *NH2OH to *NH2 as the rate-determining step requiring a low energy barrier of 0.58 eV. Importantly, the key hydrogenation of *NO to form *NOH species underwent a lower energy barrier of 0.39 eV compared with the formation of *ONH species (1.06 eV).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donglin Zhu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Guoguang Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Xu Yan
- Huizhou Innovation Research Institute of Next Generation Industrial Internet, Huizhou 516006, PR China
| | - Chunxia Geng
- Beijing Water Planning Institute, Beijing 100089, PR China
| | - Li Gao
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tang M, Tong Q, Li Y, Jiang R, Shi L, Shen F, Wei Y, Liu Z, Liu S, Zhang J, Jiang G. Effective and selective electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia on urchin-like and defect-enriched titanium oxide microparticles. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
|
18
|
Amanze C, Anaman R, Wu X, Alhassan SI, Yang K, Fosua BA, Yunhui T, Yu R, Wu X, Shen L, Dolgor E, Zeng W. Heterotrophic anodic denitrification coupled with cathodic metals recovery from on-site smelting wastewater with a bioelectrochemical system inoculated with mixed Castellaniella species. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 231:119655. [PMID: 36706471 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although Castellaniella species are crucial for denitrification, there is no report on their capacity to carry out denitrification and anode respiration simultaneously in a bioelectrochemical system (BES). Herein, the ability of a mixed inoculum of electricigenic Castellaniella species to perform simultaneous denitrification and anode respiration coupled with cathodic metals recovery was investigated in a BES. Results showed that 500 mg/L NO3--N significantly decreased power generation, whereas 100 and 250 mg/L NO3--N had a lesser impact. The single-chamber MFCs (SCMFCs) fed with 100 and 250 mg/L NO3--N concentrations achieved a removal efficiency higher than 90% in all cycles. In contrast, the removal efficiency in the SCMFCs declined dramatically at 500 mg/L NO3--N, which might be attributable to decreased microbial viability as revealed by SEM and CLSM. EPS protein content and enzymatic activities of the biofilms decreased significantly at this concentration. Cyclic voltammetry results revealed that the 500 mg/L NO3--N concentration decreased the redox activities of anodic biofilms, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the internal resistance of the SCMFCs at this concentration increased significantly. In addition, BES inoculated with the Castellaniella species was able to simultaneously perform heterotrophic anodic denitrification and cathodic metals recovery from real wastewater. The BES attained Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ removal efficiencies of 99.86 ± 0.10%, 99.98 ± 0.014%, 99.98 ± 0.01%, and 99.17 ± 0.30%, respectively, from the real wastewater. Cu2+ was bio-electrochemically reduced to Cu0 and Cu2O, whereas Hg0 and HgO constituted the Hg species recovered via bioelectrochemical reduction and chemical deposition, respectively. Furthermore, Pb2+ and Zn2+ were bio-electrochemically reduced to Pb0 and Zn0, respectively. Over 89% of NO3--N was removed from the BES anolyte during the recovery of the metals. This research reveals promising denitrifying exoelectrogens for enhanced power generation, NO3--N removal, and heavy metals recovery in BES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Amanze
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Richmond Anaman
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Sikpaam Issaka Alhassan
- College of Engineering, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Kai Yang
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Bridget Ataa Fosua
- School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Tang Yunhui
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Runlan Yu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Xueling Wu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Li Shen
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Erdenechimeg Dolgor
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, 14200, Mongolia
| | - Weimin Zeng
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410083, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Guo X, Chen J, Wang X, Li Y, Liu Y, Jiang B. Sustainable ammonia recovery from low strength wastewater by the integrated ion exchange and bipolar membrane electrodialysis with membrane contactor system. Sep Purif Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
20
|
Ampere-level current density ammonia electrochemical synthesis using CuCo nanosheets simulating nitrite reductase bifunctional nature. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7899. [PMID: 36550156 PMCID: PMC9780304 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35533-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of electrocatalysts capable of efficient reduction of nitrate (NO3-) to ammonia (NH3) is drawing increasing interest for the sake of low carbon emission and environmental protection. Herein, we present a CuCo bimetallic catalyst able to imitate the bifunctional nature of copper-type nitrite reductase, which could easily remove NO2- via the collaboration of two active centers. Indeed, Co acts as an electron/proton donating center, while Cu facilitates NOx- adsorption/association. The bio-inspired CuCo nanosheet electrocatalyst delivers a 100 ± 1% Faradaic efficiency at an ampere-level current density of 1035 mA cm-2 at -0.2 V vs. Reversible Hydrogen Electrode. The NH3 production rate reaches a high activity of 4.8 mmol cm-2 h-1 (960 mmol gcat-1 h-1). A mechanistic study, using electrochemical in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and shell-isolated nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy, reveals a strong synergy between Cu and Co, with Co sites promoting the hydrogenation of NO3- to NH3 via adsorbed *H species. The well-modulated coverage of adsorbed *H and *NO3 led simultaneously to high NH3 selectivity and yield.
Collapse
|