Application of catalyst Cu-t-ZrO2 based on the electronic metal-support interaction in electrocatalytic nitrate reduction

A novel Cu-t-ZrO2 catalyst with enhanced electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) is designed for efficient electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate (NO3−) to ammonia (NH3), achieving a remarkable Faradaic efficiency and yield rate of 97.54% and 33.64 mg h−1 mgcat−1, respectively. Electrons are more likely to be transferred from Cu to t-ZrO2 at the electron-rich interface due to the lower work function, which promotes the formation of highly active Cu species and facilitates NO3− adsorption, ensuring selective conversion into NH3. Cu-t-ZrO2 catalyst with enhanced electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) is designed for efficient electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate to NH3, achieving a remarkable FE and yield rate of 97.5% and 33.64 mg h−1 mgcat−1, respectively. The enhanced performance of the electrocatalyst is ascribed to the lower work function at the electron-rich interface of Cu-t-ZrO2, and the easier transfer of electrons from Cu to t-ZrO2, which promotes the formation of highly active Cu species, facilitates the adsorption of nitrate, and ensures the selective conversion to NH3. [Display omitted]