Electrocatalysis of N2 to NH3 by HKUST-1 with High NH3 Yield

Electrolytic ammonia synthesis from nitrogen at ambient conditions is appearing as a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process which is consuming high energy and emitting CO2. Here, a typical MOF material, HKUST-1 (Cu-BTC, BTC=benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate), was selected as an electrocatalyst for the reaction of converting N-2 to NH3 under ambient conditions. At -0.75 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, it achieves excellent catalytic performance in the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia with high NH3 yield (46.63 mu g h(-1) mg(-1) (cat.) or 4.66 mu g h(-1) cm(-2)) and good Faraday efficiency (2.45%). It is indicated that the good performance of the HKUST-1 catalyst may originate from the formation of Cu(I). In addition, the catalyst also has good selectivity for N-2 to NH3.