Publication result detail

Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia using laser-processed Nb2AlC: the role of effective Al etching

NOUSEEN, S.; DESHMUKH, S.; LANGER, M.; OTYEPKA, M.; PUMERA, M.

Original Title

Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia using laser-processed Nb2AlC: the role of effective Al etching

English Title

Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia using laser-processed Nb2AlC: the role of effective Al etching

Type

WoS Article

Original Abstract

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction to ammonia (NH3) is a promising approach for generating NH3 compared with the widely used Haber-Bosch process. It offers the advantage of zero carbon emission and helps in recycling nitrate waste. However, the challenge remains in the synthesis and engineering of proficient electrocatalytic materials with high faradaic efficiency and yield rate. Herein, we report a unique laser-processed niobium oxide-graphene (NbOx-Gr) electrode attached to a conductive support of graphene for NH3 generation. The two-step fabrication process started with spatially and temporally controlled pulsed laser writing on an Nb2AlC-coated polymer surface followed by simple electrochemical etching to remove excess Al. Electrochemical analysis elucidated that the NbOx-Gr electrode exhibited improved activity for ammonia generation. Moreover, theoretical studies provide insights into the nitrate reduction reaction mechanism, confirming that the electrochemical active site was located on the Nb atom of the NbOx-Gr electrode. Laser processing is a cost-effective, less chemically hazardous, versatile, and efficient approach to utilize MAX phases for multiple energy storage and conversion applications.

English abstract

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction to ammonia (NH3) is a promising approach for generating NH3 compared with the widely used Haber-Bosch process. It offers the advantage of zero carbon emission and helps in recycling nitrate waste. However, the challenge remains in the synthesis and engineering of proficient electrocatalytic materials with high faradaic efficiency and yield rate. Herein, we report a unique laser-processed niobium oxide-graphene (NbOx-Gr) electrode attached to a conductive support of graphene for NH3 generation. The two-step fabrication process started with spatially and temporally controlled pulsed laser writing on an Nb2AlC-coated polymer surface followed by simple electrochemical etching to remove excess Al. Electrochemical analysis elucidated that the NbOx-Gr electrode exhibited improved activity for ammonia generation. Moreover, theoretical studies provide insights into the nitrate reduction reaction mechanism, confirming that the electrochemical active site was located on the Nb atom of the NbOx-Gr electrode. Laser processing is a cost-effective, less chemically hazardous, versatile, and efficient approach to utilize MAX phases for multiple energy storage and conversion applications.

Keywords

TOTAL-ENERGY CALCULATIONS; MAX PHASES; TRANSITION; MXENE

Key words in English

TOTAL-ENERGY CALCULATIONS; MAX PHASES; TRANSITION; MXENE

Authors

NOUSEEN, S.; DESHMUKH, S.; LANGER, M.; OTYEPKA, M.; PUMERA, M.

Released

01.07.2025

Publisher

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

Location

CAMBRIDGE

ISBN

2050-7496

Periodical

Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Volume

13

Number

26

State

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pages from

21063

Pages to

21076

Pages count

14

URL

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/ta/d5ta02418h

BibTex

@article{BUT198216,
  author="Shaista {Nouseen} and Sujit {Deshmukh} and Michal {Langer} and Michal {Otyepka} and Martin {Pumera}",
  title="Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia using laser-processed Nb2AlC: the role of effective Al etching",
  journal="Journal of Materials Chemistry A",
  year="2025",
  volume="13",
  number="26",
  pages="21063--21076",
  doi="10.1039/d5ta02418h",
  issn="2050-7488",
  url="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/ta/d5ta02418h"
}