Rare-earth La-doped VS2−x for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia

Abstract

We report rare-earth La-doped VS_2−x enriched with S-vacancies (La-VS_2−x) towards the electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia (NO₃RR), which shows a maximum NH₃-faradaic efficiency of 96.6% with a corresponding NH₃ yield rate of 11.3 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻² at −0.6 V vs. RHE. Theoretical computations unveil that La-dopants and S-vacancies synergistically promote NO₃⁻ activation, suppress hydrogen evolution and lower the energetic barriers, leading to the enhanced NO₃RR activity and selectivity of La-VS_2−x.