Work

Ag/Ti Electrodes for Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction: Revealing Highly Effective Interfaces by In‐Situ Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The electrochemical reduction of nitrate to hydroxyl amine or ammonia is a prominent means to effectively valorize agricultural effluent emissions. We demonstrate that bimetallic electrodes, composed of Ag nanoparticles deposited on Ti metal, exhibit a pronounced synergy in nitrate reduction in acidic electrolyte. This is evidenced by in‐situ electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC‐MS), showing NO evolution in a complex potential‐dependent profile at lower onset potentials compared to single metal Ag or Ti electrodes. Furthermore, liquid phase analysis shows a significant Faradaic efficiency to hydroxylamine for Ag/Ti electrodes, even at potentials above 0 V RHE , i.e., requiring at least a 200–300 mV lower overpotential than necessary for the single metal electrodes. We discuss favorable NO and hydroxylamine formation to be occurring on highly effective Ag/Ti interfaces. This work highlights the importance of interfaces and suggests that optimization of (Ag/Ti) bimetallic electrodes appears to be a valuable means to develop high performance electrodes for the reduction of nitrate in acidic conditions.

Source: ChemElectroChem

DOI: 10.1002/celc.70261

Authors: Ainoa Paradelo Rodríguez, Alex Kotiagin, Guido Mul, Bastian T. Mei

Institutions: University of Twente, Ruhr University Bochum

Language: English

Topic: Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction

Subfield: Catalysis

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,750

Funders: European Commission, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme