Nitrate and nitrite-nitrogen are byproduct after oxidation of nitrogenous organics during natural or anthropic nitrogen cycle, leading to eutrophication. Nickel foam-supported copper and tin electrodes (Cu/Ni & Sn/Ni) were synthesized via electrodeposition with the aid of cationic surfactant, including C6TAB, C12TAC, CPC, and BZT. The crystal morphology and facet of crystallites grew on Ni was manipulated by varying types and concentrations of surfactants. Cu/Ni and Sn/Ni was applied as cathode for catalytically reducing nitrate in aqueous solution. Material properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanism electron transfer from cyclic voltammogram suggested that nitrate reduction was fulfilled by direct reduction on Cu or indirect hydrogenation on Sn. The facet ratios of Cu(200)/Cu(111) and Sn(200)/Sn(101) were correlated to the efficiency of nitrate removal and N2 yield under constant current mode (initial NO3--N = 50 mg/L, 5-20 mA/cm2, pH 8, 0.1 M Na2SO4). Pd played an important role of electron promotor was loaded on the metallic Cu and Sn plating with a preferential orientation in (200) facet to significantly improve the selectivity of nitrogen gas (XN2 &gt; 85%).

Electrochemical hydrogenation of nitrate and N2 yield over PdSn/Ni and PdCu/Ni foam electrodes as affected by facet ratio of Sn(200)/Sn(101) and Cu(200)/Cu(111)

ACS Fall 2021

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