Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia Over Copper‐based Catalysts

Abstract The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate (NO 3 − ) to ammonia (NH 3 ) holds substantial promise, as it transforms NO 3 − from polluted water into valuable NH 3 . However, the reaction is limited by sluggish kinetics and low NH 3 selectivity. Cu‐based catalysts with unique electronic structures demonstrate rapid NO 3 − to NO 2 − rate‐determining step (RDS) and fast electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (eNO 3 RR) kinetics among non‐noble metal catalysts. Nonetheless, achieving high robustness and selectivity for NH 3 with Cu‐based catalysts remains a significant challenge. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the reaction mechanisms in eNO 3 RR, highlights how the structures of monometallic and bimetallic Cu‐based catalyst affect catalytic properties, and discusses the current challenges as well as prospects in eNO 3 RR.