Zinc doped Fe2O3 for boosting Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation to ammonia under mild conditions

Artificial nitrogen fixation is emerging as a promising approach for synthesis of ammonia at mild conditions. Inspired by biological nitrogen fixation based on bacteria containing iron, zinc doped Fe2O3 nanoparticles are proposed as an efficient and earth abundant electrocatalyst for converting N-2 to NH3. In neutral media, it achieves a maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 10.4% and a large NH3 yield rate of 15.1 mg h(-1) mg(-1) cat. at -0.5 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode. This catalyst also exhibits excellent selectivity and stability. Theoretical calculations suggest the reaction follows the associative enzymatic mechanism and it has a barrier of as low as 0.68 eV. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, Fe2O3 nanoparticles doped with zinc were proposed as an efficient electrocatalyst for converting N-2 to NH3. The catalyst showed high Faradaic efficiency, large NH3 yield rate, excellent selectivity, and stability in neutral media. Theoretical calculations suggested a low energy barrier for the reaction, following an associative enzymatic mechanism.