Abstracts
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2YA00364C
The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) can produce ammonia under environmentalconditions and is considered a sustainable alternative to the traditional Haber–Bosch process. However,the ENRR is limited by the solubility of nitrogen (N2) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of theaqueous solution. It is found that the solubility of N2 in isopropanol at room temperature and pressure ismore than ten times higher than that in an aqueous solution. In addition, K+ can effectively inhibit theHER. Therefore, we use the two-component electrolyte of isopropanol and phosphate buffer solution(PBS) with potassium salt to weaken the influence of low solubility of N2 in an aqueous solution and thecompetitive HER. In addition, we have in situ grown NiFe2O4 nanoarrays on nickel foam (NiFe2O4/NF) asthe electrocatalyst. Finally, a high ammonia yield (1.1 µg h-1 cm-2) is achieved and the faradaic efficiency(FE) exceeds 30% at room temperature and pressure. In the end, a model of N2 adsorption on the active(311) crystal surface of NiFe2O4/NF was established by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations,and the activation energy required for the reaction was calculated, proving that the ENRR reported herewas an alternate hydrogenation path.
