Ambient NH3 synthesis via electrochemical reduction of N2 over Fe-MnO2 layered nanoflower catalyst

Abstract

Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) is a promising technology for NH3 production under ambient conditions. In this paper, Fe-MnO2 layered nanoflower catalysts are prepared by impregnation method at room temperature with MnO2 layered nanoflower precursor, which is prepared by hydrothermal method. The as-prepared Fe-MnO2 layered nanoflower catalysts show good catalytic performance for eNRR. Using Fe-MnO2 layered nanoflower catalysts as eNRR catalyst, an average ammonia yield rate of 7.54 μg h-1 mgcat-1 and a Faradic efficiency (FE) of 11.34% in 0.1 M Na2SO4 solution at -0.5 V are achieved. Moreover, the Fe-MnO2 layered nanoflower catalyst exhibited good stability and excellent selectivity for eNRR.