Green Synthesis of the Triazine Derivatives and their Application for the Benign Electrocatalytic Reaction of Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

This work uses green sustainable reactions twice. Firstly, it is microwave synthesis: 2,4,6-tribiphenyl-4-yl-1,3,5-triazine and similar compounds were prepared in a closed microwave reactor in n-octane by the Friedel-Crafts reaction. Second, a hybrid electrocatalyst for the highly demanded electrochemical reaction of nitrate reduction to ammonia (NO₃RR) was prepared based on this material. This reaction has great potential to replace the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, and in addition, has independent value for the elimination of nitrate contamination of water resources. As shown in the work, microwave synthesis is an eco-friendly method for the synthesis of complex organic compounds; fast, selective and with a high yield of the target product. The electrocatalyst deposited on the graphite electrode consisted of a layer of 2,4-bis([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-6-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine and related compounds coated with cobalt oxide. The hybrid catalyst was firmly retained on the graphite electrode during NO₃RR and the material showed impressive stability with almost no decrease in catalytic activity even after the fifth cycle. Both 2,4-bis([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-6-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine and the catalyst based on this substance were characterized by SEM, XPS, XRD, UV-vis spectra, cyclic (and linear) voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. This work can serve as a starting point for the development of stable and durable electrocatalysts for NO₃RR using triazine derivatives.