Pore-Size-Tuned Pd Films Grown on Ni Foam as an Advanced Catalyst for Electrosynthesis of Ammonia

Electrochemical ammonia synthesis is considered as an alternative sustainable method to the traditional Haber-Bosch process because of the reduced energy consumption and mild operation conditions. The key is to design efficient electrocatalysts for facile adsorption and activation of nitrogen. Herein, a nanoporous Pd film with a tunable pore size has been in situ grown on Ni foam (nPd/NF) via a micelle-assisted replacement method using NF as a reductant and substrate, where polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) and 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene serve as a pore-forming agent and a swelling agent, respectively. Combining the continuous large nanoporous structure and self-supported properties, the obtained nPd/NF exhibits excellent catalytic performance for ammonia synthesis with a high NH3 yield of 18.27 mu g h(-1) mg(cat)(-1)and a faradaic efficiency of 10.36% in 0.1 M Na2SO4. This work provides a fascinating route for the rational design of self-supported porous noble metals with a tunable pore size for effective electrosynthesis of ammonia.