Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia at low potential using a phenalenyl-based iron(iii) complex

Abstract

In recent years, electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) has emerged as a promising alternative for ammonia production in a clean and energy-efficient manner. We reported the remarkable performance of a transition metal-based electrocatalyst, Fe(III)(PLY)₃ (where PLY-H = 9-hydroxyphenalenone), for electrochemical NRR. In an acidic electrolyte, Fe(PLY)₃ catalyst demonstrates remarkable performance, achieving a high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 43.4% and an impressive ammonia (NH₃) yield rate of 99.7 μg h⁻¹ mg_cat⁻¹ at −0.2 V compared to a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE).