Ultrafine Cu nanoparticles decorated porous TiO2 for high-efficient electrocatalytic reduction of NO to synthesize NH3

Low-temperature electrocatalytic reduction of nitric oxide (NORR) is promising for the low-cost, high-efficiency removal and utilization of nitric oxide (NO), which couples the two crucial industrial processes of denitration and synthetic ammonia. We reported a binary catalyst of Cu/P–TiO 2 for NORR process, which took advantages of the Cu electrocatalysts and porous TiO 2 . The increase of surface areas and channels can improve the adsorption of NO molecules. The decoration of the ultrafine Cu nanoparticles on the porous TiO 2 may prevent the agglomeration of ultrafine Cu nanoparticles. The as-prepared Cu/P–TiO 2 electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity with a Faraday efficiency of 86.49% and NH 3 yield of 3520.80 μg·h −1 ·mg −1 in 0.1 M K 2 SO 4 at −0.3 V vs. RHE. The mechanism of the NORR reaction process with Cu/P–TiO2 catalysts was also discussed. This research may broaden the application areas of TiO 2 -based materials in the electrocatalysis and provide a new sight in the treatment of NO pollutants.