In situ growth of a GDY–MnOx heterointerface for selective and efficient ammonia production

Abstract

The development of new catalysts with high selectivity and efficiency for the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NtRR) to produce ammonia (NH₃) at room temperature and ambient pressure is still a challenge. Herein, we report a simple in situ growth method for the controlled synthesis of a GDY–MnO_x heterointerface by selectively anchoring and growing MnO_x on GDY surfaces. Experimental results show that the incomplete charge-transfer between GDY and Mn atoms at the interface structures largely increases the number of active sites, improves the electrical conductivity, and therefore results in excellent electrocatalytic performance for NH₃ synthesis with a maximum FE of 95.4%, an NH₃ yield rate of 463.4 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻² and high long-term stability in 0.1 M KOH + 0.1 M NO₃⁻ aqueous electrolytes at room temperature and ambient pressure.