Recent Progress in Electrochemical Synthesis and Conversion of Nitrates in Aqueous Electrolyte.

Nitrate, as an important nitrogen source, plays a crucial role in the fields of energy, chemicals, and the environment. Electrocatalytic nitrogen conversion, powered by renewable energy sources, is a viable and promising strategy for the synthesis and conversion of nitrate. In this work, electrocatalytic synthesis and conversion of nitrates associated with five reactions: ammonia oxidation reaction (NH3OR), nitrogen oxidation reaction (N2OR), NO oxidation reaction (NOOR), nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR), and the electrochemical C-N coupling of CO2 and NO3− (C–N coupling) were reviewed. At present, it is found that most of these reaction processes still suffer from low Faradaic efficiency and product yield. The underlying mechanisms, key steps, and rational catalyst design for these nitrogen electrochemical reactions were summarized. This review aims to provide insights into the fundamentals in the relevant reactions, the development of efficient catalysts, and the advances in the progress of artificial nitrogen cycling processes.Graphical Abstract: Nitrate, as an important nitrogen source, plays a crucial role in the fields of energy, chemicals, and the environment. Electrocatalytic nitrogen conversion, powered by renewable energy sources, is a viable and promising strategy for the synthesis and conversion of nitrate. In this work, electrocatalytic synthesis and conversion of nitrates associated with five reactions: ammonia oxidation reaction (NH3OR), nitrogen oxidation reaction (N2OR), NO oxidation reaction (NOOR), nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR), and the electrochemical C-N coupling of CO2 and NO3− (C–N coupling) were reviewed. At present, it is found that most of these reaction processes still suffer from low Faradaic efficiency and product yield. The underlying mechanisms, key steps, and rational catalyst design for these nitrogen electrochemical reactions were summarized. This review aims to provide insights into the fundamentals in the relevant reactions, the development of efficient catalysts, and the advances in the progress of artificial nitrogen cycling processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]