Bifunctional CuSi Intermetallic Catalyst Shows Exceptional Efficiency in the Electrochemical Conversion of NO2− to NH3

The ordered copper-based intermetallic compound Cu0.83Si0.17 is capable of enhancing the catalytic efficiency of the in-demand green process of the electrochemical reaction of ammonia synthesis from nitrite in comparison with a pure copper metal catalyst, which is well known and studied. The Faradaic efficiency reaches 99% with its maximum at a potential of −0.525 V (RHE), and even at low potentials (−0.1 V) it does not fall below 90%, with an NH3 yield rate of 132.3 µmol h−1 cm−2. In addition, the catalyst demonstrated high selectivity and stability.