Electrochemical oxidation of nitric oxide to concentrated nitric acid with carbon-based catalysts at near-ambient conditions

IF 42.8 1区化学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL

Nature Catalysis Pub Date : 2025-04-03 DOI:10.1038/s41929-025-01315-8

Rong Xia, Sydnee Dronsfield, Ahryeon Lee, Bradie S. Crandall, Jiashun Liang, Bjorn Hasa, Andy Redder, Gang Wu, Tiago J. Goncalves, Samira Siahrostami, Feng Jiao

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Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) emissions pose significant environmental challenges that demand sustainable remediation strategies. Here we report an electrochemical approach to convert NO into salt-free, concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃) using a carbon-based catalyst at near-ambient conditions. The system achieves >90% HNO₃ Faradaic efficiency (FE) at 100 mA cm⁻² with pure NO and retains >70% FE with dilute NO (0.5 vol%). Mechanistic studies identified nitrous acid as a critical intermediate, diverging from conventional thermocatalytic nitrogen dioxide pathways. By implementing a vapour-fed strategy in a membrane electrode assembly electrolyser, we directly synthesized 32 wt% HNO₃ from NO and deionized water, achieving 86% FE at 800 mA cm⁻² without electrolyte additives or downstream purification. This work establishes an electrochemical route to valorize NO emissions to high-purity HNO₃, advancing sustainable pollution mitigation and chemical manufacturing.

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来源期刊

Nature Catalysis Chemical Engineering-Bioengineering

CiteScore

52.10

自引率

1.10%

发文量

140

期刊介绍： Nature Catalysis serves as a platform for researchers across chemistry and related fields, focusing on homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, and biocatalysts, encompassing both fundamental and applied studies. With a particular emphasis on advancing sustainable industries and processes, the journal provides comprehensive coverage of catalysis research, appealing to scientists, engineers, and researchers in academia and industry. Maintaining the high standards of the Nature brand, Nature Catalysis boasts a dedicated team of professional editors, rigorous peer-review processes, and swift publication times, ensuring editorial independence and quality. The journal publishes work spanning heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, and biocatalysis, covering areas such as catalytic synthesis, mechanisms, characterization, computational studies, nanoparticle catalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, environmental catalysis, asymmetric catalysis, and various forms of organocatalysis.