Electrocatalytic nitrate valorization via C-N coupling on low-dimensional metal nanomaterials for pollution remediation and valuable product synthesis

By using the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction process and appropriate carbon substrates, green nitrogen resources can be extracted to synthesize value-added organonitrogen chemicals for restoring the sustainable global nitrogen cycle. However, this C–N coupling strategy still faces significant challenges, including complex reaction networks, competitive side reactions, and kinetic mismatches between substrates. This review starts with identifying key intermediates during the valorization process, and then the facet, phase, and defect/heterostructure engineering strategies are introduced as promising regulation strategies to modulate the interaction between catalysts and C/N resources. Subsequently, systems that overcome the limitation of efficiency and selectivity during C–N coupling are discussed in detail. We systematically review the precise structural modulation of low-dimensional metal nanomaterials through controllable synthesis and their targeted regulation at key points for intermediates in electrocatalytic C–N coupling reactions. By elucidating the intrinsic relationship among structural regulation, pathway optimization, and performance enhancement, it provides crucial theoretical guidance for the rational design of next generation, high efficiency and industrial scale electrocatalytic C–N coupling systems.

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2026