Reconstructed low-valent Fe single-atom sites on deficient TiO <sub>2</sub> enables electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO<sub>3</sub>RR) offers a promising route for nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) remediation and sustainable ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) synthesis, yet its efficiency is often constrained by the hydrogenation of nitrogen-containing intermediates. Herein, we report Fe single atoms anchored on oxygen-vacancy-rich TiO<sub>2</sub> nanosheet assemblies (Fe<sub>SA</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub>-O<sub>v</sub>) for efficient NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> to NH<sub>3</sub> conversion. The Fe<sub>SA</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub>-O<sub>v</sub> catalyst achieves a high NH<sub>3</sub> yield rate of 16.6 mg h<sup>-1</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> at -0.5 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE), accompanied by a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 92% and excellent durability over 40 hours. <em>Operando</em> XAFS spectroscopy reveals a gradual decrease in Fe valence and contraction of the Fe-O coordination shell, confirming the formation of reconstructed low-valent Fe single-atom active sites during NO<sub>3</sub>RR. Theoretical calculations and spectroscopic analysis further indicate that Fe sites are effective for *NO hydrogenation to the *NOH intermediate, thereby promoting the efficient formation of NH<sub>3</sub>. These findings identify the reconstructed low-valent Fe single atoms as the active sites for selective electrosynthesis of NH<sub>3</sub>, providing a mechanistic framework for designing single-atom catalysts applicable to multistep electrocatalytic reduction reactions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nano Research
Published
2026-05-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26599/nr.2026.94908792
Primary Topic
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Reconstructed low-valent Fe single-atom sites on deficient TiO 2 enables electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia

Ru Zheng, Panzhe Qiao, Xiaoyan Liu, Dieqing Zhang et al.
Nano Research
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
article

Reconstructed low-valent Fe single-atom sites on deficient TiO 2 enables electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia

Ru Zheng, Panzhe Qiao, Xiaoyan Liu, Dieqing Zhang, Guisheng Li, Yuxin Shi, Shan Hu, Qiannan Bi
article en

Abstract

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO<sub>3</sub>RR) offers a promising route for nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) remediation and sustainable ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) synthesis, yet its efficiency is often constrained by the hydrogenation of nitrogen-containing intermediates. Herein, we report Fe single atoms anchored on oxygen-vacancy-rich TiO<sub>2</sub> nanosheet assemblies (Fe<sub>SA</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub>-O<sub>v</sub>) for efficient NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> to NH<sub>3</sub> conversion. The Fe<sub>SA</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub>-O<sub>v</sub> catalyst achieves a high NH<sub>3</sub> yield rate of 16.6 mg h<sup>-1</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> at -0.5 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE), accompanied by a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 92% and excellent durability over 40 hours. <em>Operando</em> XAFS spectroscopy reveals a gradual decrease in Fe valence and contraction of the Fe-O coordination shell, confirming the formation of reconstructed low-valent Fe single-atom active sites during NO<sub>3</sub>RR. Theoretical calculations and spectroscopic analysis further indicate that Fe sites are effective for *NO hydrogenation to the *NOH intermediate, thereby promoting the efficient formation of NH<sub>3</sub>. These findings identify the reconstructed low-valent Fe single atoms as the active sites for selective electrosynthesis of NH<sub>3</sub>, providing a mechanistic framework for designing single-atom catalysts applicable to multistep electrocatalytic reduction reactions.

Nano Research
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Clean water and sanitation
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
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