Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia: Group VIII-Based Catalysts

The accumulation of nitrates in the environment causes serious health and environmental problems. The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (e-NO₃RR) has received attention for its ability to convert nitrate to value-added ammonia with renewable energy. The key to effective catalytic efficiency is the choice of materials. Group VIII-based catalysts demonstrate great potential for application in e-NO₃RR because of their high activity, low cost, and good electron transfer capability. This review summarizes the Group VIII catalysts, including monatomic, bimetallic, oxides, phosphides, and other composites. On this basis, strategies to enhance the intrinsic activity of the catalysts through coordination environment modulation, synergistic effects, defect engineering and hybridization are discussed. Meanwhile, the ammonia recovery process is summarized. Finally, the current research status in this field is prospected and summarized. This review aims to realize the large-scale application of nitrate electrocatalytic reduction in industrial wastewater.