A perovskite La2Ti2O7 nanosheet as an efficient electrocatalyst for artificial N2 fixation to NH3 in acidic media

Abstract

The synthesis of NH₃ heavily relies on the Haber–Bosch process suffering from a large amount of CO₂ emission and energy consumption. Possessing eco-friendly and sustainable characteristics, electrochemical reduction is considered as a promising candidate for artificial N₂ fixation under ambient conditions, but efficient electrocatalysts are crucial for the N₂ reduction reaction (NRR). In this communication, we report that perovskite La₂Ti₂O₇ nanosheets behave as an efficient NRR electrocatalyst with excellent selectivity under ambient conditions. In 0.1 M HCl, this catalyst achieves a high NH₃ yield rate of 25.15 μg h⁻¹ mg_cat.⁻¹ with a faradaic efficiency of 4.55% at −0.55 V vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode. Notably, it also shows high electrochemical stability.