Electrochemical Pathways for Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia: From Environmental Challenges to Ammonia Economy

Xintong Li; Yunpeng Zuo; Xiaoran Zhang; Jieqiong Shan; Kenneth Mei Yee Leung; Bin Liu; Peter Strasser; Adrian Fisher; Zonglong Zhu; Xin Wang

doi:10.1002/adfm.77930

Electrochemical Pathways for Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia: From Environmental Challenges to Ammonia Economy

Xintong Li (Co-first Author)
, Yunpeng Zuo (Co-first Author)
, Xiaoran Zhang (Co-first Author)
, Jieqiong Shan
, Kenneth Mei Yee Leung
, Bin Liu
, Peter Strasser
, Adrian Fisher
, Zonglong Zhu^*
, Xin Wang^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

Abstract

Nitrate pollutants in water systems pose significant health risks and contribute to eutrophication. The electrochemical nitrate reduction reactions (eNO₃RR) is a promising approach to address nitrate pollutants while generating wealth-adding products. In this review, we explore the potential for applying eNO₃RRs to reduce nitrate levels in real wastewater. First, we identify the importance of reducing nitrate concentrations in water. Next, we discuss the advances of electrocatalysts for eNO₃RR based on the reaction mechanisms, highlighting the adoption of various catalytic systems in low-concentration wastewaters, providing new insights for applying eNO₃RR in real pollutant systems. We also discuss the key challenges and technologies related to the development of scaling up eNO₃RR devices and ammonia collection materials. Finally, we outline future research perspectives essential for realizing sustainable, high-performance, and cost-effective electrochemical nitrate removal and the generation of wealth-adding products. This review provides insights into catalyst design for nitrate reduction and strategies for converting nitrate pollutants to wealth-adding products. © 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Original language	English
Article number	e77930
Journal	Advanced Functional Materials
Online published	1 Sept 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.77930
Publication status	Online published - 1 Sept 2026

Funding

The work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (52322318), Research Grants Council of Hong Kong Grant (N_CityU102/23, C4005\u201022Y, C1055\u201023G, 11306521, 11300124, R1001\u201024F, CRS_CityU104/24), Innovation and Technology Fund (ITS/147/22FP, MHP/079/23), the Science Technology and Innovation Committee of Shenzhen Municipality (JCYJ20220818101018038), National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2023YFB3809700).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation

Research Keywords

ammonia application
electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (eNO3RR)
nitrate removal
scaling-up

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10.1002/adfm.77930

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title = "Electrochemical Pathways for Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia: From Environmental Challenges to Ammonia Economy",

abstract = "Nitrate pollutants in water systems pose significant health risks and contribute to eutrophication. The electrochemical nitrate reduction reactions (eNO3RR) is a promising approach to address nitrate pollutants while generating wealth-adding products. In this review, we explore the potential for applying eNO3RRs to reduce nitrate levels in real wastewater. First, we identify the importance of reducing nitrate concentrations in water. Next, we discuss the advances of electrocatalysts for eNO3RR based on the reaction mechanisms, highlighting the adoption of various catalytic systems in low-concentration wastewaters, providing new insights for applying eNO3RR in real pollutant systems. We also discuss the key challenges and technologies related to the development of scaling up eNO3RR devices and ammonia collection materials. Finally, we outline future research perspectives essential for realizing sustainable, high-performance, and cost-effective electrochemical nitrate removal and the generation of wealth-adding products. This review provides insights into catalyst design for nitrate reduction and strategies for converting nitrate pollutants to wealth-adding products. {\textcopyright} 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.",

keywords = "ammonia application, electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (eNO3RR), nitrate removal, scaling-up",

author = "Xintong Li and Yunpeng Zuo and Xiaoran Zhang and Jieqiong Shan and Leung, \{Kenneth Mei Yee\} and Bin Liu and Peter Strasser and Adrian Fisher and Zonglong Zhu and Xin Wang",

year = "2026",

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language = "English",

journal = "Advanced Functional Materials",

issn = "1616-301X",

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Electrochemical Pathways for Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia: From Environmental Challenges to Ammonia Economy. / Li, Xintong (Co-first Author); Zuo, Yunpeng (Co-first Author); Zhang, Xiaoran (Co-first Author) et al.
In: Advanced Functional Materials, 01.09.2026.

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Electrochemical Pathways for Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia

T2 - From Environmental Challenges to Ammonia Economy

AU - Li, Xintong

AU - Zuo, Yunpeng

AU - Zhang, Xiaoran

AU - Shan, Jieqiong

AU - Leung, Kenneth Mei Yee

AU - Liu, Bin

AU - Strasser, Peter

AU - Fisher, Adrian

AU - Zhu, Zonglong

AU - Wang, Xin

PY - 2026/9/1

Y1 - 2026/9/1

N2 - Nitrate pollutants in water systems pose significant health risks and contribute to eutrophication. The electrochemical nitrate reduction reactions (eNO3RR) is a promising approach to address nitrate pollutants while generating wealth-adding products. In this review, we explore the potential for applying eNO3RRs to reduce nitrate levels in real wastewater. First, we identify the importance of reducing nitrate concentrations in water. Next, we discuss the advances of electrocatalysts for eNO3RR based on the reaction mechanisms, highlighting the adoption of various catalytic systems in low-concentration wastewaters, providing new insights for applying eNO3RR in real pollutant systems. We also discuss the key challenges and technologies related to the development of scaling up eNO3RR devices and ammonia collection materials. Finally, we outline future research perspectives essential for realizing sustainable, high-performance, and cost-effective electrochemical nitrate removal and the generation of wealth-adding products. This review provides insights into catalyst design for nitrate reduction and strategies for converting nitrate pollutants to wealth-adding products. © 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

AB - Nitrate pollutants in water systems pose significant health risks and contribute to eutrophication. The electrochemical nitrate reduction reactions (eNO3RR) is a promising approach to address nitrate pollutants while generating wealth-adding products. In this review, we explore the potential for applying eNO3RRs to reduce nitrate levels in real wastewater. First, we identify the importance of reducing nitrate concentrations in water. Next, we discuss the advances of electrocatalysts for eNO3RR based on the reaction mechanisms, highlighting the adoption of various catalytic systems in low-concentration wastewaters, providing new insights for applying eNO3RR in real pollutant systems. We also discuss the key challenges and technologies related to the development of scaling up eNO3RR devices and ammonia collection materials. Finally, we outline future research perspectives essential for realizing sustainable, high-performance, and cost-effective electrochemical nitrate removal and the generation of wealth-adding products. This review provides insights into catalyst design for nitrate reduction and strategies for converting nitrate pollutants to wealth-adding products. © 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

KW - ammonia application

KW - electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (eNO3RR)

KW - nitrate removal

KW - scaling-up

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105048803969

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105048803969#tab=impact

U2 - 10.1002/adfm.77930

DO - 10.1002/adfm.77930

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 1616-301X

JO - Advanced Functional Materials

JF - Advanced Functional Materials

M1 - e77930

ER -

Electrochemical Pathways for Nitrate Conversion to Ammonia: From Environmental Challenges to Ammonia Economy

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

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