Atomically Dispersed Molybdenum Catalysts for Efficient Ambient Nitrogen Fixation

Abstract

NH 3 synthesis by the electrocatalytic N 2 reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions is an appealing alternative to the currently employed industrial method-the Haber-Boschp rocess-that requires high temperature and pressure.W er eport single Mo atoms anchored to nitrogendoped porous carbon as ac ost-effective catalyst for the NRR. Benefiting from the optimally high density of active sites and hierarchically porous carbon frameworks,t his catalyst achieves ah igh NH 3 yield rate (34.0 AE 3.6 mg NH 3 h À1 mg cat. À1 )a nd ahigh Faradaic efficiency (14.6 AE 1.6 %) in 0.1m KOHatroom temperature.T hese values are considerably higher compared to previously reported non-precious-metal electrocatalysts. Moreover,t his catalyst displays no obvious current drop during a5 0000 sN RR, and high activity and durability are achieved in 0.1m HCl. The findings provideapromising lead for the design of efficient and robust single-atom non-preciousmetal catalysts for the electrocatalytic NRR.

Engineering Local Coordination Environments of Atomically Dispersed and Heteroatom‐Coordinated Single Metal Site Electrocatalysts for Clean Energy‐Conversion

“…PGM‐free SACs, including Mo and Fe based electrocatalysts, have also been studied for the NRR. In particular, the FeN 4 catalyst exhibited an NH 3 yield rate of 62.9 ± 2.7 µg h −1 mg−1 cat.…”

Densely Populated Single Atom Catalysts

“…In addition to the electrocatalytic reactions mentioned above, SACs have also been reported to be used in other catalytic reactions, including NRR, WGSR, methane reforming, methanol steam reforming, CO oxidation, benzene oxidation, acetylene hydrogenation, and so on. Shan et al reported an atomically dispersed Rh on the zeolite (Rh/ZSM‐5) catalyst, which can convert methane into methanol or acetic acid in liquid phase mild oxidation at 150 °C.…”

Stable Confinement of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots on Black Tin Oxide Nanotubes: A Robust, Double‐Active Electrocatalyst toward Efficient Nitrogen Fixation

“…In view of their limited resources, research on the non‐noble‐metal electrocatalysts is at the cutting edge. Recently, some pioneering works concentrated on transition metal electrocatalysts, including transition‐metal sulfides, carbides, oxides, nitrides, single atoms, and so on, since their unoccupied d orbitals could accept the electrons of nitrogen, and thus, reduce the energy barrier. Considered from the economic and environmental angle of view, the exploration of metal‐free electrocatalysts was an appealing strategy since it could lower the cost as well as avoid the residues of metal ions.…”