Recent progress and challenges in structural construction strategy of metal-based catalysts for nitrate electroreduction to ammonia

Ammonia plays an essential role in human production and life as a raw material for chemical fertilizers. The nitrate electroreduction to ammonia reaction (NO3RR) has garnered attention due to its advantages over the Haber-Bosch process and electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction. Therefore, it represents a promising approach to safeguard the ecological environment by enabling the cycling of nitrogen species. This review begins by discussing the theoretical insights of the NO3RR. It then summarizes recent advances in catalyst design and construction strategies, including alloying, structure engineering, surface engineering, and heterostructure engineering. Finally, the challenges and prospects in this field are presented. This review aims to guide for enhancing the efficiency of electrocatalysts in the NO3RR, and offers insights for converting NO3− to NH3.