Bifunctional Nitrogen Reduction and Nitrate Reduction Electrocatalysis via Trimetallic RuPdPt Nanocages

Electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis, encompassing both nitrogen reduction and nitrate reduction reactions, has been identified as a sustainable pathway for the industrial Haber-Bosch process. In this study, highly active Pd-based alloy catalysts were designed through compositional and structural control with RuPdPt nanocages successfully prepared. For nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) electrocatalysis, the yield for ammonia synthesis could achieve a high value of (153.9 ± 15.8) μg·h-1·mgcat-1 under -0.50 V vs RHE. At a potential of -0.40 V vs RHE, a Faradaic efficiency of (41.8 ± 3.4)% could be attained. For nitrate reduction reaction (NITRR), RuPdPt porous nanocages could also provide superior performance with an ammonia yield of (366.4 ± 2.7) μg·h-1·mgcat -1 at -0.55 V vs RHE with a Faradaic efficiency of (47.1 ± 4.3)% under -0.50 V vs RHE. Thus, RuPdPt nanocages are promising as an attractive electrocatalyst for bifunctional NRR and NITRR under mild conditions, which also offer strategic opportunities for NH3 synthesis and nitrogenous pollution control.