Porphyrin-Based Conductive Polymer Derived from Tetrakis[biphenyl-bis(bithiophene)] Porphyrinato Cobalt(II) for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction is a sustainable pollutant remedy tool and offers wider application for green ammonia production. The overall electrochemical reaction mostly depends on the electrode material, which thus requires a highly active and efficient electrocatalyst that is both green and cost-effective. Here, we show electropolymerized cobalt porphyrin-containing tetrakis-biphenyl-bis(bithiophene) entities as efficient electrocatalysts for ammonia production via electrochemical nitrate reduction. The newly developed electrocatalyst was able to achieve a high Faradaic efficiency of 92.7 % at −0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl for ammonia production with very low production of other side products and exhibited long-term durability without any significant physical and chemical deterioration. Experimental findings were well-supported by DFT calculations.