Publication date: 15th December 2025
The decentralized electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate pollutants to ammonia represents a promising dual-purpose strategy for sustainable green ammonia synthesis and water remediation. However, its widespread application is constrained by the lack of selective, stable, and cost-effective catalysts that perform robustly across varied operational conditions. This work addresses this challenge by developing a hybrid catalyst in which highly crystalline, well-dispersed ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs), synthesized via a green polyol process, are uniformly anchored onto microscale monolayer titania nanosheets (TiNS). A series of catalysts with controlled Ru loadings (5, 25, and 40 wt%) were systematically evaluated for the nitrate reduction reaction (NO₃RR) to ammonia. Comprehensive electrochemical testing under varying pH, applied potential, temperature, and nitrate concentrations revealed that the 25%Ru-TiNS catalyst exhibits optimal performance, achieving high selectivity and efficiency for ammonia production. In-situ Raman and infrared spectroscopic studies elucidated the critical role of Ru in facilitating proton supply in alkaline media, whereas both Faradaic efficiency and ammonia production rate declined significantly in acidic environments. This study provides a rational design strategy for efficient hybrid NO₃RR electrocatalysts and offers fundamental insights into the reaction mechanism, advancing the prospect of renewable, decentralized ammonia production from nitrate-laden waste streams.
Acknowledgments
Marie Sklodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) (PECSolFuel - 101107294)
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