FURI | Spring 2024

Photoelectrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction Using Nano-enabled Titanium Oxide Decorated with Metal Nanoparticles

Nitrate (NO₃^–) pollution in surface and groundwater, worsened by nitrogen-rich fertilizers in agriculture, poses a significant challenge. Conventional methods remove NO₃^– physically, yielding concentrated reject water needing further treatment. Electrochemical processes use electrons to convert NO₃^– into ammonia (NH₃) or dinitrogen (N₂). This project explores photoelectrocatalysis, enhancing selectivity for NH₃ as an added-value product using a photocathode based on tri-layers. Titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanorods modified with Ag and CuO_x nanoparticles exhibit high NO₃^– conversion rates and exceptional NH₃ selectivity. Mechanism evaluation reveals synergistic effects between photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, surpassing individual performances. This approach offers promising solution for NO₃^– pollution remediation and sustainable resource recovery in agriculture.