From a molecular nickel complex to nanoparticles in N2O catalytic electro-deoxygenation.

Selective electrochemical reduction of nitrous oxide to dinitrogen is initiated by a nickel(II) bipyridine complex. The system evolves from a homogeneous catalysis regime toward a heterogeneous process. Ni(OH)2 nanoparticulate deposits, generated from the catalyst decomposition, are proposed according to post-electrolysis characterization, pointing to the role of this phase in catalytic activity.