Surface Modification of Pt(100) for Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Dinitrogen in Alkaline Solution

Nitrate reduction on a Pt(100) electrode modified by Cu (Cu/Pt(100)) and Rh (Rh/Pt(100)) adatoms have been studied in alkaline media by means of cyclic voltammetry and in situ online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OLEMS). According to the cyclic voltammograms, nitrate reduction is catalyzed by both Cu/Pt(100) and Rh/Pt(100). Ammonia is the main product on the Rh/Pt(100) electrode in alkaline media. On Cu/Pt(100), the selective conversion from NO₃^– to N₂ may be achieved. The Cu sites catalyze the reduction of NO₃^– to NO₂^–, and the Pt(100) sites catalyze the reduction of NO₂^– to N₂, though in different potential windows