Cu catalysts detour hydrogen evolution reaction

The use of electrocatalytic reactions in aqueous solution to produce high-value chemicals is severely restricted by the occurrence of the electrochemical reaction of water. In a recent study published in Nature Nanotechnology by Haotian Wang and colleagues, hydrophilic-hydrophobic Cu catalysts, which suppress the undesirable hydrogen evolution reaction, have been discovered to promote conversion of 99% nitrate at an industrial wastewater level into ammonia using an industrial-relevant reduction current of 1 A/cm².