Roles of Heterojunction and Cu Vacancies in the Au@Cu2–xSe for the Enhancement of Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Performance

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07947
• Publication Date: 2023-10-05T12:56:31Z
• Authors: Yujin Jeong; Gnanaprakasam Janani; Dohun Kim; Tae-Yong An; Subramani Surendran; Hyunjung Lee; Dae Jun Moon; Joon Young Kim; Mi-Kyung Han; Uk Sim
• Keywords: ammonia electrosynthesis; ELECTROCATALYSTS; HYDROGEN EVOLUTION; heterojunction; STABILITY; hydrogen carrier; COPPER; vacancy; OXIDATION; 540; electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction; DESIGN; MEDIATED AMMONIA-SYNTHESIS; NH3

The utilization of hydrogen (H2) as a fuel source is hindered by the limited infrastructure and storage requirements. In contrast, ammonia (NH3) offers promising solution carrier due to its high energy density, liquid capacity, low cost, sustainable manufacturing. NH3 has garnered significant attention key component in development next-generation refueling stations, aligning with goal carbon-free economy. electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) enables production from (N2) under ambient conditions. However, efficiency ENRR challenges such electron-stealing evolution (HER) breaking stable N2 triple bond. To address these limitations enhance performance, we prepared Au@Cu2-xSe electrocatalysts core@shell structure using seed-mediated growth method facile hot-injection method. catalytic activity was evaluated both an aqueous electrolyte KOH nonaqueous consisting tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent lithium perchlorate ethanol proton donors. electrolytes facilitated synergistic interaction between Au Cu2-xSe (copper selenide), forming Ohmic junction metal p-type semiconductor that effectively suppressed HER. Furthermore, conditions, Cu vacancies layer promoted formation nitride (Li3N), leading improved production. effect junctions led significantly higher yield faradaic (FE) systems compared those maximum yields were approximately 1.10 3.64 μg h-1 cm-2, corresponding FE 2.24 67.52% for electrolytes, respectively. This study demonstrates attractive strategy designing catalysts increased engineering heterojunctions Cu-based media.