Work

Hierarchical porous CuFe-MOF nanostructures as dual electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction and nitrate reduction reaction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The potential to eliminate nitrate pollution in waste effluents by electrochemically reducing nitrate to ammonia has sparked global interest in developing highly active electrocatalysts for the nitrate reduction reaction (NO 3 RR). Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising candidate for creating the next-generation NO 3 RR electrocatalysts due to their abundant active metal sites, electrical conductivity, and well-organized porous structure. In this context, we report the synthesis and applications of a unique bimetallic MOF, i.e., CuFe(x:y)MOF, as an efficient dual electrocatalyst for NO 3 RR and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We have carefully adjusted the Cu to Fe ratio in CuFe(x:y)MOF to achieve the best possible result. The CuFe(1:2)MOF, with its distinct features, showed excellent NO 3 RR with a high ammonia yield of 5.08 mmol/(h⋅cm 2 ) and 87 % faradaic efficiency. Moreover, the material demonstrated catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction, exhibiting an overpotential of 175 mV and a low Tafel slope of 295 mV/dec under optimized conditions. Further, chronoamperometry studies revealed that the catalyst remained stable for 24 h. These findings underscore the potential of the CuFe(x:y)MOF as an efficient dual electrocatalyst and a significant step forward in developing next-generation catalysts.

Source: Journal of Environmental Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.04.070

Authors: Dasari Sai Hemanth Kumar, Manzoor Ahmad Pandit, Vinay Kumar Kolakaluri, Krishnamurthi Muralidharan

Institutions: University of Hyderabad, Shanghai University

Language: English

Topic: Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction

Subfield: Catalysis

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000