Co-engineering of Fe–Mn nanoclusters with porous carbon for enhanced electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis†

Abstract

Electrochemical nitrate reduction (NO₃⁻RR) to produce ammonia (NH₃) is a promising strategy for treating nitrate contaminants but is limited by poor electrocatalyst activity and sustainability. Here, a nanocluster oxide iron–manganese loaded on nitrogen/oxygen-doped porous carbon catalyst is developed, achieving an NH₃ yield rate of 359.87 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻² and a high faradaic efficiency of 87.73%. Furthermore, the Zn–NO₃⁻ battery with NC-Fe₁Mn₂/NOPC as the cathode exhibits a high peak power density of 0.31 mW cm⁻² and a NH₃ yield of 25.79 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻².