A bifunctional nanoporous gold–copper@ZIF film for highly efficient nitrogen electro-fixation

Abstract

The traditional industrial nitrogen fixation process has caused great damage to the environment. In this study, we have designed an electrocatalyst made of nanoporous AuCu alloys incorporated in ZIF-71 films, which demonstrates bifunctional catalytic performance for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation. For nitrogen oxidation fixation, a high NO₃⁻ yield rate of 307.89 ± 47.79 μg h⁻¹ mg_AuCu⁻¹ was achieved, and a faradaic efficiency of 47.79% ± 4.65% was obtained in 0.1 M KOH, proving to be one of the most active nitrogen oxidation electrocatalysts in basic electrolytes. For nitrogen reduction fixation, a high NH₃ yield rate of 82.55 ± 4.72 μg h⁻¹ mg_AuCu⁻¹ was observed, and the faradaic efficiency was 59.85% ± 5.30% in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄. In addition, the electrocatalyst also provides excellent stability and selectivity. Hence, the bifunctional composite electrocatalyst offers a new strategy for industrial nitrogen fixation.