Coupling electrocatalytic NO oxidation over carbon cloth with hydrogen evolution reaction for nitrate synthesis

NO is a harmful pollutant to the environment. The traditional removal of NO is hindered by the harsh operating conditions and sacrifice of value-added chemicals. Efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of NO was achieved over plasma-treated commercial carbon cloth, serving as a promising anode substitution reaction to couple with the hydrogen evolution reaction without consumption of hydrogen-containing resources. The introduction of carboxyl groups onto the carbon cloth boosted the electrocatalytic activity via the enhancement of NO chemisorption. Only potentials of 1.39 V and 1.07 V were applied to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2 in neutral and acidic conditions, respectively, which is superior to the state-of-the-art electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution. Energy and environmental concerns on fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen production, ammonia manufacture and nitrate synthesis, are greatly alleviated. This work provides an original strategy to realize the resource utilization of NO, the sustainable nitrate synthesis and hydrogen production in a green and economical way.