Identification of Dynamic Active Sites Among Cu Species Derived from MOFs@CuPc for Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction Reaction to Ammonia.

Abstract in brief

• Direct electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NITRR) offers a method to reduce nitrogen imbalance and synthesize ammonia, but challenges in identifying active catalytic sites from Cu-based electrocatalysts persist.
• Researchers developed various Cu species with adjustable loading on N-doped TiO/C, using a pre-anchor and post-pyrolysis approach, enhancing our understanding of the behavior and dynamics of these catalysts during the reaction.
• The restructured CuN&Cu showed a high ammonia yield and faradaic efficiency at a specific voltage, highlighting their effectiveness in nitrate reduction and providing insights into the critical active sites needed for efficient catalysis.