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Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia on Ultrafine Sn Nanoparticles
Zhihui Xue1, Changning Sun1, Ming Zhao1
1Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials, Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China.
Ultrafine tin nanoparticles on carbon black catalyze the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) for ammonia synthesis. This catalyst achieves high selectivity and yield under ambient conditions, offering a promising route for sustainable ammonia production.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a sustainable pathway for ammonia (NH3) synthesis at ambient conditions.
- Current NRR catalysts face challenges with low activity and selectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate ultrafine tin nanoparticles (Sn NPs) supported on carbon black (SnSC/C) as an electrocatalyst for NRR.
- To investigate the performance and mechanism of SnSC/C for ammonia synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Wet-chemical synthesis of Sn NPs on carbon black using sodium citrate dehydrate as a stabilizing agent.
- Electrochemical characterization of the SnSC/C catalyst for NRR.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to elucidate the reaction mechanism.
Main Results:
- The SnSC/C catalyst demonstrated excellent electrocatalytic performance for NRR.
- Achieved a high Faradaic efficiency of 22.76% and an NH3 yield rate of 17.28 μg h-1 mg-1.
- DFT calculations identified the potential-determining step involving simultaneous hydrogenation of N2*.
Conclusions:
- Ultrafine Sn NPs supported on carbon black are effective electrocatalysts for ammonia synthesis via NRR.
- The developed catalyst exhibits superior performance compared to many reported NRR electrocatalysts.
- The study provides mechanistic insights into the NRR on Sn-based catalysts.
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