Two-Dimensional Heterojunction Electrocatalyst: Au-Bi₂Te₃ Nanosheets for Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

The design of Au-based materials with good dispersion and more active sites is critical to enhance the catalytic performance of electrochemical ammonia production. Herein, two-dimensional (2D) heterojunction Au-Bi₂Te₃ nanosheets (Au-Bi₂Te₃ NSs) are prepared by Au nanoparticles growing on Bi₂Te₃ nanosheets. Benefiting from the good dispersion of Au nanoparticles and the synergistic effect of the heterojunction composite, Au-Bi₂Te₃ NSs demonstrate excellent behavior for an ambient nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). In a 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte (N₂-saturated), Au-Bi₂Te₃ NSs display a high NH₃ yield rate of 32.73 μg h^-1 mg_cat.^-1 and a faradic efficiency of 20.39% at -0.4 V. The proposed synthetic method provides a feasible strategy for designing high-performance heterojunction electrocatalysts for electrochemical ammonia synthesis.