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Boosting the Electroreduction of Nitrate to Ammonia in a PEM Electrolyzer with Polymer-Modified Ru Nanoparticles

Journal Article (2026)
Author(s)

Min Li (TU Delft - ChemE/Catalysis Engineering)

J. Zhao (Student TU Delft)

Vineesh Thazhe Veettil (TU Delft - ChemE/Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage)

Shilong Fu (TU Delft - Large Scale Energy Storage)

A.M.M.I. Mohamed (TU Delft - Large Scale Energy Storage)

Ruud Kortlever (TU Delft - Large Scale Energy Storage)

Atsushi Urakawa (TU Delft - ChemE/Catalysis Engineering)

Research Group
ChemE/Catalysis Engineering
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.5c07637
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
ChemE/Catalysis Engineering
Issue number
4
Volume number
16
Pages (from-to)
3430-3441
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Abstract

Ammonia (NH3) is vital for synthesizing fertilizers and has gained great attention as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier and a hydrogen-rich fuel. Electrochemical ammonia synthesis from nitrate in a water-fed polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer is an innovative approach to wastewater treatment. However, the major hurdles to practical implementation are competing hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and constrained catalytic efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-modified ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles as a strategy to drive the desired reaction of nitrate to ammonia. The particle size of Ru was controlled by PVP, enhancing the metal-utilization efficiency and the electrochemical active surface area. PVP modification was found to alter the electron density on Ru, suppressing the HER by increasing the energy barrier of hydrogen coupling to form H2, while promoting absorbed hydrogen (H*) formation, facilitating the hydrogenation of intermediates to ammonia. Benefiting from the combined effects, PVP-10 wt % Ru/C achieved an ammonia production rate of 3800 μg·mgRu–1·h–1, compared to 590 μg·mgRu–1·h–1 for 40 wt % Ru/C at 2 V.