Bimetallic CuCe metal organic framework for efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitric oxide to ammonia

Electrocatalytic NO reduction reaction ( e NORR) is an attractive strategy for both NO pollutant treatment and its conversion into ammonia. Here, we reported the bimetallic face-centered cubic crystals (CuCe-MOFs) formed by the coordination of copper cations and cerium cations with phthalic acid ligands as efficient e NORR catalysts. The Cu 9 Ce 1 -MOFs electrode with a Cu: Ce ratio of 9:1 exhibited the excellent e NORR performance in 0.1 M K 2 SO 4 electrolyte, with the highest NH 3 yield of 5919.15 μg·h −1 ·mg −1 at −0.8 V and a Faraday efficiency of 68.67 %. The Zn-NO batteries assembled by Cu 9 Ce 1 -MOFs and Zn plates showed a power density of 1.88 mW·cm −2 and a maximum NH 3 yield of 3205.82 μg·h −1 ·mg −1 . The density functional theory (DFT) calculation revealed the reaction pathway of *NO → *NOH → *N → *NH → *NH 2 → *NH 3 . • A bimetallic CuCe Metal organic frameworks was prepared and applied for eNORR. • A high NH 3 yield of 5919.15 μg·h −1 ·mg −1 was obtained in H-type cell. • The Zn-NO battery provided NH 3 yield of 3205.82 μg·h −1 ·mg −1 and power density of 1.88 mW·cm −2 .