Metal oxynitride catalysts for nitrate and phosphate reduction in wastewater treatment
Transition metal oxynitride electrocatalysts designed to convert wastewater nitrates into ammonia while removing phosphates, offering a sustainable alternative to Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis and enabling groundwater remediation and fertilizer production.
Overview
This solution leverages transition metal oxynitride catalysts to electrochemically reduce nitrates and phosphates in wastewater. By converting nitrates into ammonia, the technology offers a dual benefit: removing contaminants from groundwater and producing a valuable agricultural fertilizer. Compared to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, this electrochemical approach represents a more sustainable pathway for ammonia production. The research team has demonstrated order-of-magnitude improvements in catalytic performance compared to first-generation vanadium oxide systems, indicating strong commercial potential.
Technical specifications
Catalyst design:
- Transition metal oxynitrides featuring metal-to-N π-backbonding for enhanced activity
- Mixed metal oxynitrides using Earth-abundant metals to modulate N and O vacancy energies
- Alloying strategy to tune catalytic activity and selectivity
Performance advantages:
- Improved binding strength of O and N atoms correlates with higher activity and selectivity
- Effective for both nitrate reduction (NO2RR) and phosphate reduction
- Builds on validated cobalt oxynitride nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) systems
Methodology:
- Density functional theory (DFT) modeling combined with in situ and operando experiments
- Photoemission spectroscopy and electrochemistry for mechanistic understanding
- Analysis of chemistry at the water/solid interface
Technology readiness level
The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. The research team has established proof-of-concept for oxynitride catalysts in nitrogen reduction, achieving significant performance gains over earlier vanadium oxide systems. Future validation will extend this expertise to mixed metal oxynitrides specifically targeting wastewater treatment applications, including nitrate removal and conversion to ammonia, as well as phosphate reduction. Further experimental corroboration and optimization are required before commercial deployment.
About University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a comprehensive public research university in Denton, part of the UNT System, serving a large and diverse student body with broad academic programs. A dedicated research campus brings engineering and science together with shared user facilities, advanced instrumentation, prototyping spaces, and technology transfer support that speed collaboration with industry. Its Dallas–Fort Worth location offers ready access to major corporate R&D, suppliers, and testing partners, supported by project-based engagements, internships, and sponsored capstones. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy, alongside state and industry support.
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