Selective Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Nitrogen to Nitric Acid Using Manganese Phthalocyanine

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01847
• Publication Date: 2023-07-14T12:58:20Z
• Authors: Ashadul Adalder; Sourav Paul; Biswajit Ghorai; Samadhan Kapse; Ranjit Thapa; Abharana Nagendra; Uttam Kumar Ghorai
• Keywords: Nitric acid

Ammonia is produced through the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which undergoes catalytic oxidation for production of commercial nitric acid by senescent Ostwald process. The two industrial processes demand process sustainability. Hence, single-step electrocatalysis offers a promising approach toward more environmentally friendly solution. Herein, we report 10-electron pathway associated one-step electrochemical dinitrogen reaction (N2OR) to manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc) hollow nano-structures under ambient conditions. catalyst delivers yield 513.2 μmol h-1 gcat-1 with 33.9% Faradaic efficiency @ 2.1 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. excellent N2OR performances are achieved due specific-selectivity, presence greater number exposed active sites, recyclability, and long period stability. extended X-ray absorption fine structure confirms that Mn atoms coordinated pyrrolic pyridinic nitrogen via Mn-N4 coordination. Density functional theory-based theoretical calculations confirm site MnPc main center N2OR, suppresses oxygen evolution reaction. This work provides new arena about successful example one step utilizing site-based metal electrocatalyst development carbon-neutral sustainable society.