Promoting Ampere‐Level Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia Through Strong Oxide–Oxide Interaction

H Haitao Xu (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, College of Chemistry and Materials, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China) Y Yang Yang A Ali Han (Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China) C Canglang Yao (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China) H Hao Zhang Y Yan Luo (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China) Z Zhengping Fu (Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 96 Jinzhai, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China) Y Yalin Lu (Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 96 Jinzhai, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China) G Gang Liu F Feng Li D Dongyuan Zhao (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China)

Abstract

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of nitrate to value‐added ammonia offers a promising approach for removing nitrate pollutants from wastewater, combining energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. However, developing industrially viable catalysts that combine high efficiency, low‐cost, and high durability remains a significant challenge. Herein, cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles are anchored onto the copper oxide (CuO) nanosheets support (Co 3 O 4 @CuO) to boost the electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia via a strong oxide–oxide interaction. The optimized Co 3 O 4 @CuO catalyst exhibits a superb nitrate reduction performance, including a high ammonia Faradaic efficiency of 93.4 % at an ampere‐level current density of approximately 2500 mA cm −2 . Mechanistic investigations reveal that the strong oxide–oxide interaction between Co 3 O 4 and CuO regulates the adsorption configuration of nitrite and the subsequent hydrogenation process. This interaction can effectively control the overall reaction pathway, thereby enhancing the yield and selectivity of ammonia. The strategic combination of these oxide materials provides a guiding framework for developing high‐performance catalytic systems.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 39
Published September 22, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (11)

H

Haitao Xu

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, College of Chemistry and Materials, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China

Y

Yang Yang

A

Ali Han

Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China

C

Canglang Yao

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China

H

Hao Zhang

Y

Yan Luo

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China

Z

Zhengping Fu

Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 96 Jinzhai, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China

Y

Yalin Lu

Anhui Laboratory of Advanced Photon Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 96 Jinzhai, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China

G

Gang Liu

F

Feng Li

D

Dongyuan Zhao

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China