Atomically Dispersed Molybdenum Catalysts for Efficient Ambient Nitrogen Fixation

• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201811728
• Publication Date: 2018-12-12T20:39:53Z
• Authors: Lili Han; Xijun Liu; Jinping Chen; Ruoqian Lin; Haoxuan Liu; Fang Lü; Seongmin Bak; Zhixiu Liang; Shunzheng Zhao; Eli Stavitski; Jun Luo; Radoslav R. Adzic; Huolin L. Xin
• Keywords: Carbon fibers; Ambient pressure

Abstract NH 3 synthesis by the electrocatalytic N 2 reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions is an appealing alternative to currently employed industrial method—the Haber–Bosch process—that requires high temperature and pressure. We report single Mo atoms anchored nitrogen‐doped porous carbon as a cost‐effective catalyst for NRR. Benefiting from optimally density of active sites hierarchically frameworks, this achieves yield rate (34.0±3.6 μg h −1 mg cat. ) Faradaic efficiency (14.6±1.6 %) in 0.1 m KOH at room temperature. These values are considerably higher compared previously reported non‐precious‐metal electrocatalysts. Moreover, displays no obvious current drop during 50 000 s NRR, activity durability achieved HCl. The findings provide promising lead design efficient robust single‐atom catalysts