ZrB <sub>2</sub> as an earth-abundant metal diboride catalyst for electroreduction of dinitrogen to ammonia

ZrB2 как катализатор на основе землесодержащего диборида металла для электрохимического восстановления азота до аммиака
Yali Guo, Ke Chu, Qingqing Li, Yonghua Cheng, Xiaotian Li
2020-01-01

Faradaic efficiencyZrB2electroreduction of dinitrogenmetal diboride catalystnitrogen reduction reaction
ZrB2 is first explored as an earth-abundant metal diboride catalyst for highly efficient nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). The synthesized ZrB2 nanocubes exhibited a highly attractive NRR performance with an NH3 yield of 37.7 μg h-1 mg-1 and a Faradaic efficiency 18.2% at -0.3 V (RHE). Theoretical calculations unraveled that active Zr centers enabled the effective activation of the N2 molecule via a unique tetranuclear side-on mode and concurrently impeded hydrogen evolution by restricting H+ adsorption.
1
Calculations also show Zr centers suppress hydrogen evolution by restricting H+ adsorption, favoring NRR over HER.
2
Synthesized ZrB2 nanocubes achieve an NH3 yield of 37.7 μg h⁻¹ mg⁻¹ at -0.3 V (RHE).
3
Theoretical calculations indicate active Zr centers activate N2 via a unique tetranuclear side-on adsorption mode.
4
ZrB2 is introduced and experimentally demonstrated as an earth-abundant metal diboride catalyst for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR).
5
ZrB2 nanocubes reach a Faradaic efficiency of 18.2% for NRR at -0.3 V (RHE).

ZrB2 nanocube catalyst for electrochemical nitrogen reduction

Catalytic activity and selectivity for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NH3 yield and Faradaic efficiency) and the atomic-scale mechanism (Zr active centers enabling tetranuclear side-on N2 activation and suppression of hydrogen evolution via restricted H+ adsorption)

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2020-01-01
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Authors
Yali Guo
Ke Chu
Qingqing Li
Yonghua Cheng
Xiaotian Li
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