Powering denitrification: the perspectives of electrocatalytic nitrate reduction

Imbalances in the nitrogen cycle caused by human activities (combustion, fertiliser-intensive agriculture) have resulted in alarmingly increased levels of nitrate in groundwater and other water bodies, with potentially health-threatening consequences. The electrocatalytic removal of nitrate from polluted water is a promising alternative to bacterial denitrification, provided that full selectivity to harmless N2, which can be returned to the atmosphere, is achieved. This perspective article discusses the state-of-the-art of research on electrocatalytic denitrification, critically evaluating the obstacles still hampering large-scale application of this technique. The milestones of fundamental research focussing…

• EC
  European Commission