Ruthenium/titanium oxide interface promoted electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

13 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Weizheng Cai
  • Ya-Fei Jiang
  • Jincheng Zhang
  • Hongbin Yang
  • Junming Zhang
  • Cong-Qiao Xu
  • Wei Liu
  • Jun Li

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1764-1774
Journal / PublicationChem Catalysis
Volume2
Issue number7
Online published31 May 2022
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jul 2022
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) offers a promising strategy to synthesize ammonia at ambient conditions. However, the selectivity and yield of ammonia are greatly impeded by the slow kinetics of the eNRR and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we find that by growing Ru nanoparticles on rutile TiO2, the intimate electronic coupling between Ru nanoparticles and TiO2 support is able to greatly promote the first protonation of N2 via an associative mechanism in the eNRR while suppressing the HER, resulting in a greatly improved ammonia Faradaic efficiency of 40.7% and yield of 10.4 μgNH3 h−1 cm−2geometric area at −0.15 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in 0.5 M K2SO4 aqueous solution at room temperature and ambient pressure. Our work provides a general approach to achieve selective electrochemical reaction by controlling the binding strength of reactive intermediates via interface engineering. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.

Research Area(s)

  • electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction, in situ, interface, ruthenium, SDG7: Affordable and clean energy, titanium oxide

Citation Format(s)

Ruthenium/titanium oxide interface promoted electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction. / Cai, Weizheng; Jiang, Ya-Fei; Zhang, Jincheng et al.
In: Chem Catalysis, Vol. 2, No. 7, 21.07.2022, p. 1764-1774.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review