1D/2D interface engineering of a CoPc–C3N4 heterostructure for boosting the nitrogen reduction reaction to NH3

Abstract

Herein, we demonstrate the construction of a 1D/2D heterostructure of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc)–carbon nitride (C₃N₄) for electrochemical N₂ reduction to NH₃. Improved performance originates from the higher exposure of active surface sites. The electrochemical NRR performance showed an NH₃ formation rate of 423.8 μg h⁻¹ mg_cat⁻¹, a high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 33%, and stability for 20 h. This study provides a new strategy for designing a highly efficient 1D/2D electrocatalytic system for ammonia synthesis.