Co-NCNT nanohybrid as a highly active catalyst for the electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia.

Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO 3 - ) reduction has emerged as an attractive dual-function strategy to produce ammonia (NH 3 ) and simultaneously mitigate environmental issues. However, efficient electrocatalysts with high selectivity for NH 3 synthesis are highly desired. In this work, we report the Co-NCNT nanohybrid as a highly active electrocatalyst towards NO 3 - -to-NH 3 conversion. In 0.1 M NaOH solution containing 0.1 M NO 3 - , the Co-NCNT catalyst is capable of attaining a large NH 3 yield of 5996 μg h -1 cm -2 and a high faradaic efficiency of 92% at -0.6 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Moreover, it displays excellent electrochemical stability.