Synergistic Interaction of MoS₂ Nanoflakes on La₂Zr₂O₇ Nanofibers for Improving Photoelectrochemical Nitrogen Reduction

Abstract

Ammonia is a suitable hydrogen carrier with each molecule accounting for up to 17.65% of hydrogen by mass. Among various potential ammonia production methods, we adopt the photoelectrochemical (PEC) technique, which uses solar energy as well as electricity to efficiently synthesize ammonia under ambient conditions. In this article, we report MoS 2 @La 2 Zr 2 O 7 heterostructures designed by incorporating twodimensional (2D)-MoS 2 nanoflakes on La 2 Zr 2 O 7 nanofibers (MoS 2 @LZO) as photoelectrocatalysts. The MoS 2 @LZO heterostructures are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route with electrospun La 2 Zr 2 O 7 nanofibers and Mo precursors. The MoS 2 @LZO heterostructures work synergistically to amend the drawbacks of the individual MoS 2 electrocatalysts. In addition, the harmonious activity of the mixed phase of pyrochlore/ defect fluorite-structured La 2 Zr 2 O 7 nanofibers generates an interface that aids in increased electrocatalytic activity by enriching oxygen vacancies in the system. The MoS 2 @LZO electrocatalyst exhibits an enhanced Faradaic efficiency and ammonia yield of approximately 2.25% and 10.4 μg h −1 cm −2 , respectively, compared to their corresponding pristine samples. Therefore, the mechanism of improving the PEC ammonia production performance by coupling oxygen-vacant sites to the 2D-semiconductorbased electrocatalysts has been achieved. This work provides a facile strategy to improve the activity of PEC catalysts by designing an efficient heterostructure interface for PEC applications.

Boosting Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis of Bio-Inspired Porous Mo-Doped Hematite via Nitrogen Activation

“…Ammonia is considered to be a significant activated nitrogen source for industrial chemicals required in agricultural fertilizers, medicaments, and daily life and is also recognized as a sustainable and efficient energy carrier for the future renewable energy industry. − In this view, the artificial synthesis of ammonia on an industrial scale plays a significant role in meeting the large-amount demand. , Up to now, the most widely used route is the century-old Haber-Bosch process with ammonia and hydrogen as feed gases. Unfortunately, it suffers from harsh conditions, corresponding to high energy and capital consumption, and also produces serious CO 2 pollution. − Therefore, it is urgently necessary to develop an energy-effective way to achieve efficient ammonia synthesis under ambient circumstances.…”

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) based photoredox catalysis in chemical transformations

“…The photoelectrochemical (PEC) technique, which uses both solar energy as well as electricity efficiently synthesize ammonia under ambient conditions. Han et al 82 have been synthesized MoS 2 @LZO heterostructures by assembling 2D-MoS 2 nanoflakes on La 2 Zr 2 O 7 nanofibers via a facile hydrothermal method ( Fig. 12a ).…”

Photoelectrocatalysis Synthesis of Ammonia Based on a Ni-Doped MoS2/Si Nanowires Photocathode and Porous Water with High N2 Solubility

“…Obviously, developing clean and sustainable NRR strategies and techniques to synthesize NH 3 under ambient conditions is of great significance . The photoelectrocatalysis or photoelectrochemistry (PEC) system that combines the outstanding features of photocatalysis and electrocatalysis appears to be a potential alternative of the alleviated energy and environmental burden, − because the photogenerated electrons and the aqueous monovalent hydrogen both of green and sustainable features are used as the reductant and the hydrogen source in the PEC-NRR synthesis of NH 3 , respectively.…”