Recent advances in metal atom catalysts for photo- and electro-catalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.

Metal atom catalysts enable atomic-level control of nitrate-to-ammonia conversion, with recent systems achieving breakthroughs in activity and selectivity.

• Why it matters: Addressing water pollution and sustainable nitrogen use requires efficient, scalable catalysts; current limitations hinder industrial application despite promising laboratory results.
• What they did: The review analyzes recent advances in single-atom, dual-atom, and sub-nanocluster catalysts for photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and photoelectrochemical nitrate reduction, emphasizing atomic-level control mechanisms.
• The result: Future progress hinges on integrating precise catalyst design with mechanistic insights and reactor engineering, paving the way for practical, sustainable nitrate-to-ammonia conversion technologies.