Pt-modified Fe3O4 Supported on Ni Foam Nanocomposite for Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

Effective and sustainable electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate is greatly desired to solve the problem of global water contamination and provide a promising way to generate fossil-free ammonia. In this regard, Pt-Fe3O4 nanoparticles are decorated on Ni foam (NF) using the hydrothermal method to achieve Pt-Fe3O4/NF nanocomposite electrocatalyst. Various characterization techniques investigate the structural and morphological properties of Pt-Fe3O4/NF nanocomposite. Benefiting from the small size of Pt and Fe nanoparticles, the Pt-Fe3O4/NF nanocomposite reveals excellent performance for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction with an NH4+ yield rate of 0.301 mmol h−1 cm−2 (5.418 mg h−1 mg−1cat.) and Faradaic efficiency of 80.7