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Bimetallic nitrogen-doped carbon electrocatalysts for nitrate-to-ammonia conversion: synthesis strategies; catalytic mechanisms; and perspectives
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DOI：10.1039/D6CC01877G.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Nitrate pollution in groundwater poses significant environmental and health risks. Conventional nitrate removal technologies are often inefficient and incomplete; whereas the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) offers a promising alternative by simultaneously removing nitrate pollutants and producing value-added ammonia. Among emerging NO3RR electrocatalysts; bimetallic nitrogen-doped carbon-based (BM-NCs) materials have demonstrated outstanding Faradaic efficiency (FE); ammonia production rate; and long-term stability. These advantages arise from the synergistic interplay between nitrogen doping and bimetallic components; which collectively enhance electrical conductivity; promote nitrate adsorption; and optimize reaction kinetics and product selectivity. Notably; bimetallic combinations such as Cu-Ni; Co-Fe; Fe-Mo can effectively tune charge redistribution and interfacial electronic structures; thereby improving catalytic performance. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in BM-NCs for NO3RR; with emphasis on synthesis strategies; structure-activity relationships; and reaction mechanisms. The dual role of nitrogen doping in enhancing electronic conductivity and promoting interfacial charge transfer is highlighted; together with mechanistic insights into bimetallic synergy; including charge redistribution and stepwise catalytic pathways; as revealed by experimental characterization and theoretical calculations. By establishing clear synthesis-performance correlations; this review demonstrates how controlled synthetic strategies modulate bimetallic dispersion and nitrogen coordination environments to optimize NO3RR activity and selectivity. Finally; current challenges and future opportunities are discussed to guide rational catalyst design and accelerate the practical application of BM-NC electrocatalysts in nitrate remediation and sustainable ammonia synthesis.
Keywords:
Nitrate reduction
Bimetallic catalysts
Nitrogen-doped carbon
Electrochemical conversion
Ammonia synthesis