Synchronizing Proton-Electron Transfer in Nanoconfined Cu-Ni Alloys Enables Highly Selective Nitrate-to-Ammonia Conversion

Key Points

• The research aims to enhance the conversion efficiency of nitrate to ammonia using Cu-Ni alloys.
• Utilized nanoconfined Cu-Ni alloys within mesoporous carbon nanofibers.
• Investigated the role of Cu sites in stabilizing NOx intermediates and activating N-O bonds.
• Explored adjacent Ni sites for facilitating proton-electron transfer.
• Cu sites significantly improved N-O bond activation.
• High selectivity for nitrate-to-ammonia conversion observed with the alloy system.
• Regulated catalytic pathways demonstrated increased efficiency.