Electrochemical reduction of aqueous nitrogen (N2) at a low overpotential on (110)-oriented Mo nanofilm

Abstract

Electrochemical reduction of aqueous nitrogen (N₂) at an overpotential of 0.14 V with relatively high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 0.72% is achieved on (110)-oriented Mo nanofilm. A rate of NH₃ formation as high as 3.09 × 10⁻¹¹ mol s⁻¹ cm⁻² can be obtained under an applied potential of −0.49 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE). This is a record-high activity, higher than that reported in previous experimental results under comparable reaction conditions.