Amorphous Sn/Crystalline SnS2 Nanosheets via In Situ Electrochemical Reduction Methodology for Highly Efficient Ambient N2 Fixation

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) as a new strategy for synthesizing ammonia has attracted ever-growing attention, due to its renewability, flexibility, and sustainability. However, the lack of efficient electrocatalysts has hampered the development of such reactions. Herein, a series of amorphous Sn/crystalline SnS2 (Sn/SnS2) nanosheets by an L-cysteine-based hydrothermal process, followed by in situ electrochemical reduction, are synthesized. The amount of reduced amorphous Sn can be adjusted by selecting electrolytes with different pH values. The optimized Sn/SnS2 catalyst can achieve a high ammonia yield of 23.8 mu g h(-1) mg(-1), outperforming most reported noble-metal NRR electrocatalysts. According to the electrochemical tests, the conversion of SnS2 to an amorphous Sn phase leads to the substantial increase of its catalytic activity, while the amorphous Sn is identified as the active phase. These results provide a guideline for a rational design of low-cost and highly active Sn-based catalysts thus paving a wider path for NRR.