Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Ammonia Using a 2D Ti3C2 MXene Loaded with Copper Nanoparticles

As an energy-saving and environmentally friendly ammonia synthesis method, electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has received a great deal of attention. There is thus an urgent need to find high-efficiency electrocatalysts for the NRR. In this work, a Cu/Ti3C2 composite catalyst was prepared and demonstrated excellent selectivity under environmental conditions, which could efficiently convert N-2 into NH3 electrochemically. In 0.1 M KOH, Cu/Ti3C2 can achieve a high Faradaic efficiency of 7.31 % and a high NH3 production rate of 3.04 mu mol h(-1) cm(-2) at -0.5 V vs. RHE. Moreover, the material also exhibits superior electrochemical stability and durability. At the same time, density functional theory (DFT) shows that, compared with Ti3C2, Cu/Ti3C2 exhibits a wider conduction and valence band and a larger Fermi level, thus indicating that Cu plays a vital role in the enhancement of the catalytic activity and conductivity of Ti3C2-based materials. This work provides a feasible strategy for designing high-efficiency MXene-based NRR electrocatalysts.

Automated summary

In this study, a Cu/Ti3C2 composite catalyst was prepared for efficient electrochemical conversion of N2 into NH3. This catalyst exhibited high Faradaic efficiency and NH3 production rate in 0.1 M KOH solution. Moreover, it showed superior electrochemical stability and durability, with Cu playing a vital role in enhancing the catalytic activity and conductivity of Ti3C2-based materials.