Pollution to solution: A universal electrocatalyst for reduction of all NOx-based species to NH3

NOx-based species, including all NO, NO2, NO2−, and NO3− nitrogen oxides, are considered major industrial pollutants responsible for numerous environmental issues. Here, a bimetallic electrocatalyst based on copper and iron is developed that enables efficient electrochemical conversion of all NOx-based species to NH3. The key to success is the tunability of the d-band energy through introduction of iron to copper, which improves the adsorption energies of reaction intermediates. Details of the reaction pathway are provided by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy complemented by density functional theory. Electrochemical production of green NH3 from nitrogen oxide pollutants using renewable electricity is a sustainable solution for a serious environmental problem.