Significant amounts of NO3- contained in ground water, mainly arising from fertilizer used in agriculture, pose threats to the environment and human health. Catalytically reduction of NO3- can not only remove the pollutant but also produce useful chemicals such as NH2OH and NH3. Preliminary investigations into the electrochemical conversion of NO3- to NH3 by a cobalt complex on a carbon electrode is reported. This catalyst selectively reduces NO3- but cannot reduce other common anions found in ground water such as HCO3-, PO43-, SO42-. Experimentally calibrated computational methods have been used to understand the origin of catalyst selectivity. Combined structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies suggest that reduction of Co(III)-hydroxide leads to the active catalyst. Homogeneity test such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and rinse test suggest catalysis is molecular.

Mechanistic studies of NO3- conversion to NH3 by a cobalt molecular electrocatalyst

254th National Meeting (2017)

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