Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Hydroxylamine: Breaking the Activity‐Selectivity Trade‐Off by Designer Bifunctional Metal‐Organic Frameworks

ABSTRACT Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NitRR) offers a promising route for hydroxylamine (NH 2 OH) synthesis under ambient conditions. However, the inherent activity‐selectivity trade‐off limits the overall performance. To overcome this challenge, a bimetallic NiMg‐MOF‐74 electrocatalyst is designed for NH 2 OH production via NitRR with high performance. Experimental and theoretical investigations have unraveled the synergy of dual active sites in promoting NO 3 − to NH 2 OH conversion. The electron‐sufficient Ni (2‐δ)+ site weakens the binding of *NH 2 OH intermediate and minimizes its excessive reduction to undesired NH 3 byproduct. Moreover, the electron‐deficient Mg (2+δ)+ site with higher charge density than Ni (2‐δ)+ facilitates hydration and hydrogenation steps of N─O species over proximal Ni (2‐δ)+ site, thus the overall activity for NH 2 OH formation is increased. The concurrently enhanced selectivity and activity result in a high Faradaic efficiency of 92.3% and an unprecedented NH 2 OH yield rate of 55.1 mg h −1 cm −2 in a flow reactor, which can be directly utilized for the preparation of value‐added oxime compounds. Further, the coupling of NitRR with photovoltaics in one system enables bias‐free NH 2 OH production with a high solar‐to‐NH 2 OH efficiency of 17.74%. Our work offers advanced electrocatalysts and new insights for sustainable NH 2 OH electrosynthesis.

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Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2026-02-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202518171
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
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article

Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Hydroxylamine: Breaking the Activity‐Selectivity Trade‐Off by Designer Bifunctional Metal‐Organic Frameworks

Yuye Zhao, Yamin Xi, Tong Bao, Yingying Zou et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
article

Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Hydroxylamine: Breaking the Activity‐Selectivity Trade‐Off by Designer Bifunctional Metal‐Organic Frameworks

Yuye Zhao, Yamin Xi, Tong Bao, Yingying Zou, Zheng Wang, Chaoqi Zhang, Yunying Wang, Chao Liu, Zhijie Li, Chengzhong Yu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NitRR) offers a promising route for hydroxylamine (NH 2 OH) synthesis under ambient conditions. However, the inherent activity‐selectivity trade‐off limits the overall performance. To overcome this challenge, a bimetallic NiMg‐MOF‐74 electrocatalyst is designed for NH 2 OH production via NitRR with high performance. Experimental and theoretical investigations have unraveled the synergy of dual active sites in promoting NO 3 − to NH 2 OH conversion. The electron‐sufficient Ni (2‐δ)+ site weakens the binding of *NH 2 OH intermediate and minimizes its excessive reduction to undesired NH 3 byproduct. Moreover, the electron‐deficient Mg (2+δ)+ site with higher charge density than Ni (2‐δ)+ facilitates hydration and hydrogenation steps of N─O species over proximal Ni (2‐δ)+ site, thus the overall activity for NH 2 OH formation is increased. The concurrently enhanced selectivity and activity result in a high Faradaic efficiency of 92.3% and an unprecedented NH 2 OH yield rate of 55.1 mg h −1 cm −2 in a flow reactor, which can be directly utilized for the preparation of value‐added oxime compounds. Further, the coupling of NitRR with photovoltaics in one system enables bias‐free NH 2 OH production with a high solar‐to‐NH 2 OH efficiency of 17.74%. Our work offers advanced electrocatalysts and new insights for sustainable NH 2 OH electrosynthesis.

Angewandte ChemieVol. 138(11)
The University of Queensland (AU), East China Normal University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 66%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
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Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Hydroxylamine: Breaking the Activity‐Selectivity Trade‐Off by Designer Bifunctional Metal‐Organic Frameworks — Yuye Zhao, Yamin Xi, et al. · Angewandte Chemie (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS